Hidden in Plain Sight - Part Two
DEFENCE & PROTECTION
Last month we began our journey uncovering how ceramics shape our daily lives, from classrooms and cars to smartphones and steelworks. This month we turn our attention to a sector where ceramics are truly hidden in plain sight: defence and protection.
When we think of defence technology, our minds might jump to advanced vehicles, high tech armour or cutting edge aerospace systems. Yet behind these innovations lies something far more understated: ceramics. Stronger than steel yet lighter than aluminium, heat resistant, corrosion proof and electrically stable, ceramics quietly enable technologies that keep nations safe and secure.
In the field, every gram of weight and every degree of heat tolerance matters. Lightweight ceramic armour protects personnel and vehicles, while ceramic composites used in aircraft and naval systems provide exceptional strength and reliability. These materials deliver high performance without compromise and make the difference between success and failure in critical operations.
Beyond protection, ceramics underpin the systems that guide, communicate and power modern defence. Ceramic substrates and insulators ensure stability for sensors and electronics in extreme conditions. Ceramic matrix composites allow jet engines and turbines to run hotter and more efficiently.
Ceramic coatings and fuel cells support sustainable power solutions across land, sea and air. Whether enabling high speed flight, supporting communications over long distances or improving energy efficiency, ceramics provide a hidden foundation for precision and performance. The UK ceramics sector stands at the forefront of this innovation.
Research institutions, specialist manufacturers and defence partners are developing the next generation of ceramic technologies that are lighter, stronger and more sustainable than ever. The same properties that make ceramics invaluable on the battlefield are helping to build a safer, more resilient future at home.
From lightweight armour to high-performance aerospace components, ceramics provide the hidden strength and precision that make modern innovation possible. The ceramic industry is a quiet enabler of progress across countless sectors, often without us even realising it. As our campaign continues, we will keep exploring the surprising and essential ways ceramics shape our world.
Discover more about ceramics #hiddeninplainsight Click here.