Ceramic Matrix Composites Market in Aircraft Engines Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2023-2028

Market Highlights

The ceramic matrix composites market in aircraft engines is estimated to grow from USD 168 Million in 2022 to USD 421.1 Million by 2028 at a healthy CAGR of 14.4% during the forecast period.

What are ceramic matrix composites(CMCs)?

Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) are a type of advanced material that consists of a ceramic matrix reinforced with ceramic fibers. These composites possess a unique combination of properties, including high strength, high-temperature resistance, and lightweight characteristics, which make them particularly suitable for use in aircraft engines.

In aircraft engines, CMCs are primarily used in the hot section, where temperatures can reach extreme levels. Traditionally, metallic alloys have been used in this area, but CMCs offer several advantages over metals.

The Potential of CMCs to Improve Fuel Efficiency and Reduce Emissions in Aircraft Engines:

The airlines’ dire need for fuel-efficient aircraft shows no signs of abating. As pressure for fuel-efficient aircraft continues to mount, ceramic matrix composites (CMC) evolve as they compete with metals for high-pressure and low-pressure applications in aircraft engines.

CMCs are as tough as metals and are just one-third the weight of nickel alloys and can operate at 1,300° Celsius. They have the ability to withstand extreme temperatures and require less cooling air to be diverted from the thrust. As of result, engines run at higher thrusts. Additionally, engines run hotter, consuming fuel efficiently, and emitting fewer pollutants.

Despite short-term turmoil, the long-term outlook of CMCs in aircraft engines still seems favorable with the recovery in production rates of key aircraft programs such as the A320 neo and the resumption in production of the B737Max. Due to the continuous replacement of nickel alloys with CMCs owing to their advantages like better oxidation resistance at higher temperatures and being comparatively lighter in weight. Further, the market entry of B777X and C919 is likely to act as a catalyst for the growth of the market.

The Role of CMCs in the F-35 Program

In 2019, Lockheed Martin delivered 134 F-35 aircraft (491 aircraft since the inception of the program) and production is expected to continue for many years, considering the US Government's current inventory objective of 2,456 aircraft and commitments from eight international partner countries and four international. A strong order backlog of F-35 aircraft is likely to drive demand for CMCs in the military aircraft segment in the long run.

The market is driven by a host of factors, some of which are noted below

• After a decline in 2020, the global economy experienced impressive growth in post-pandemic developments.
• The growing population is again positively impacting the demand for air travel, which, in turn, is affecting the demand for flight control systems.
• In the long run, the air RPKs will be over 19 trillion, imprinting a positive impact across the supply chain.
• Political influences & legislative forces are impacting regional market dynamics.
• Increasing load factor has a considerable impact on the entire aerospace industry supply chain.
• Rising aerospace co2 emissions are again compelling airlines to retire their aging aircraft and introduce fuel-efficient aircraft in their fleets.
• Rising air freight tons again create a greater demand for aircraft.

Market Segments’ Analysis

The market is segmented based on the aircraft type into commercial aircraft, business jets, military aircraft, and helicopters. Commercial aircraft accounted for a market share of more than 45% in 2022 & is forecasted to remain the largest segment of the market during the forecast period.

The development of CMC parts in the variants of the best-selling aircraft programs, such as the B737 Max and A320neo, is the key growth driver of the market. Additionally, the upcoming variant B777x with five CMC applications in its GE9X engine is likely to further elevate the demand for CMC parts in this segment.

On the other hand, the helicopter segment is estimated to grow at a healthy CAGR of almost 20% during the forecast period.

The market is segmented into shrouds, combustor liners, blades, nozzles, and others. Shrouds occupied a market share of more than 25% in 2022 & are projected to remain the largest application type during the forecast period, driven by their usage in the Leap engines.

Leap engine is certified for the B737 Max, A320neo, and C919 aircraft. CFM International, a JV between GE Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines, delivered 1,736 Leap engines in 2019 and has an order backlog of 15,614 engines as of December 2019.

Furthermore, the development of CMC shrouds in upcoming aircraft engines, such as GE9x, would further accelerate the demand during the forecast period. Whereas, Combustor Liner is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 25% during the forecast period.

All the major applications including combustor liners, shrouds, blades, and nozzles, are projected to witness healthy growth rates during the forecast period.

The CMCs market in aircraft engines is segmented as high-pressure zone, low-pressure zone, and engine combustor. The high-pressure zone dominated the market with a share of more than 70% in 2022 and would remain the hotspot during the forecast period.

CMCs are ideal materials as they offer a broad spectrum of advantages at high-pressure zones including a reliable performance at extreme temperatures up to 1,300°C, a significant weight saving compared with nearest rival nickel alloys, and no need for air cooling.

This improves the engine thrust and reduces fuel consumption and emits less pollution. All three zones are likely to witness impressive growth rates in the coming five years.

The market is segmented into static and rotational. Static is expected to remain the dominant and fastest-growing component type in the market during the forecast period. Commercial CMC developments, such as shrouds for the LEAP engine; exhaust nozzles for the F135; and combustor liners, shrouds, and nozzles for the GE9x engine, are static components.

orth America dominated the market with a share of more than 85% in 2022 & is projected to comfortably maintain its lead in the ceramic matrix composites market in aircraft engines during 2023-2028.

Asia-Pacific is projected to portray the highest growth during the same period, driven by the upcoming indigenous aircraft by China (C919) coupled with the increasing defense budgets of emerging Asian economies.

The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, CMC part fabricators, aero-engine suppliers, and aircraft OEMs.

The following are some of the key players in the CMCs market:

• GE Aviation
• Pratt & Whitney
• Composites Horizons LLC
• Safran Ceramics (previously Herakles)
• COI Ceramics, Inc.
• Rolls-Royce plc
• Honeywell International Inc
• IHI Corporation
• Kordsa Teknik Tekstil A.S.

Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions: An inorganic growth strategy remains preferred in the market. Several crucial M&As led to several changes in the competitive landscape.

• In 2015, Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC) acquired Composites Horizons, LLC (CHI), a USA-based supplier of high-temperature carbon and ceramic composite components, including CMCs, for next-generation aerospace engines. A320neo, B737 MAX, B777X, B787, and A350 XWB are the key aircraft platforms served by Composites Horizons, LLC.
• In 2016, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. acquired Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC) at the agreed price of US$ 37.2 billion. A year ago, PCC acquired Composites Horizons, LLC.
• In April 2020, Raytheon Corporation and United Technologies Corporation merged to officially form Raytheon Technologies Corp. Pratt & Whitney, a key player in the CMCs market in aircraft engines is now the part of new Raytheon Technologies Corp.

Segmentation

This report studies the market covering a period of 12 years of trend and forecast. The report provides detailed insights into the market dynamics to enable informed business decision-making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market.

The market is segmented into the following categories:

By Aircraft Type:

• Commercial Aircraft
• Business Jets
• Military Aircraft
• Helicopter

By Engine Type:

• Jet Engine
• Helicopter Engine

By Component Type:

• Static Components
• Rotational Components

By Application Type:

• Combustor Liner
• Shrouds
• Blades
• Nozzles
• Others

By Engine Zone:

• High-Pressure Zone
• Low-Pressure Zone
• Combustor

By Material Type:

• SiC/SiC
• Oxide/Oxide
• Others

By Manufacturing Process Type:

• Melt Infiltration
• Chemical Vapor Infiltration
• Sintering
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s CMCs market in aircraft engines realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period.

The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with the analyst's internal database and statistical tools.

More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.

The publisher conducted more than 10 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.