RE: Stuffing box question/can of worms
I can see how this conclusion can be reached given the use of heat in*both the carbon graphite and ceramic processes.* But in the various materials I've read about brakes, for example, they talk about carbon brakes and ceramic brakes as two different things.* An advantage cited for ceramic brakes is the lack of brake dust, where carbon brakes do not have this advantage.
The terms used here*when talking about the materials used on the planes do not include "ceramic."* They talk "composite" or "carbon fibre" or "carbon" or "graphite," etc.
FWIW here is a description of two of the heat-shield materials used on the Space Shuttle.* They seem to make a distinction between a carbon-based material and a ceramic.
Reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC), used in the nose cap and wing leading edges. Used where reentry temperature exceeds 1260 °C (2300 °F). High-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI) tiles, used on the orbiter underside. Made of coated LI-900 Silica ceramics. Used where reentry temperature is below 1260 °C.
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