Composites UK and NPL to Explore the Challenges of Composites in Extreme Environments

Composites UK and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) will bring industry and research experts together on 17 November 2026 for Composites in Extreme Environments, a collaborative event hosted at NPL in Teddington.

The event will explore how composite materials can be developed, tested and validated for use in some of the most demanding operating conditions, from extreme temperatures and lightning strikes to fire, impact, subsea applications and other challenging environments.

With applications spanning aerospace, defence, energy, marine and advanced manufacturing, the programme will examine the materials, technologies and testing approaches needed to demonstrate reliable performance and support wider adoption.

The agenda features contributions from organisations including Lucideon, the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), ATL, CFP Composites, Queen's University Belfast, Base Materials, the NCC and NPL. A specialist defence-sector perspective will also explore the performance requirements and considerations that influence the use of composite materials in extreme environments.

Topics will include ceramic matrix composites for high-temperature structural applications, scaling up silicon carbide composites, novel polysiloxane carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials for high-temperature safety applications, virtual testing frameworks for composite damage, and the whole-life performance of subsea buoyancy materials.

The afternoon session will turn to extreme damage mechanisms, including protective ceramic coatings for polymer composites exposed to laser ablation, alongside the challenges of measurement in cryogenic environments.
The event will conclude with an optional tour of NPL, offering attendees the opportunity to learn more about the organisation's facilities and work in measurement science.

Dr Stefanos Giannis will chair the event, welcoming delegates to NPL, which provides measurement expertise and facilities supporting research, innovation and industrial development.