[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Successful Localization of Heat-Resistant Material Withstanding 3000-Degree Heat

[Company Visit] Hankook Carbon Invests Over 10 Billion KRW in 6 Years
Develops Heat-Resistant Material 'T2' 40% Cheaper Than Imports
Contributes to 'K-Defense' Exports Through Stable Supply

In January 2022, the United States included six North Korean nationals in the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list for sanctions against North Korea. These individuals, including Choi Myung-hyun and Oh Young-ho, are officials under the North Korean National Defense Science Institute based in Russia. They are known to have illegally imported Kevlar (high-strength fiber) and aramid fiber (heat-resistant fiber) and supplied them to North Korea.

Korea Carbon's heat-resistant material 'T2,' developed with an investment of over 10 billion won over six years, is priced at around 40% of imported products.

North Korea uses these fibers to manufacture heat-resistant materials for missile or satellite launch vehicles. Launch vehicles emit heat of up to 3,000 degrees Celsius immediately after launch, and if the vehicle cannot withstand this heat, it will fail to fly on the desired trajectory. Consequently, the missile's accuracy inevitably decreases. Only when the launch vehicle contains heat-resistant materials capable of enduring high temperatures and pressures can it perform its intended function.

Our military also requires heat-resistant materials when manufacturing launch vehicles, and until now, all such materials were imported. However, last year, the domestic defense company Korea Carbon succeeded in domestic production, enabling the manufacture of heat-resistant materials within the country. On the 7th of last month, heat-resistant materials used in missile launch vehicles were observed at Korea Carbon’s sandpaper factory in Miryang, Gyeongnam Province. Since missiles vary in size, the heat-resistant materials also came in various sizes. On one side, there were heat-resistant materials intended for ground-to-ground missiles used by the Army. Measuring 8 meters, they resembled the missile launch vehicle in shape. The heat-resistant materials must withstand specific temperatures, durations, and pressures depending on the missile. On one side of the factory, the ‘Heat-resistant Material T2 Nozzle for Launch Vehicles’ was also seen. T2 is a heat-resistant material developed by Korea Carbon after investing over 10 billion won over six years. Priced at about 40% of imported products, the industry expects it to contribute to missile exports as well.

Localization of Heat-Resistant Materials Installed in Missile Launch Vehicles

Like heat-resistant materials, composites are also made from glass fibers and carbon fibers. Resin, a type of adhesive, is added and compressed with heat to form composites. Composites made from glass fibers are used for aircraft interiors, while those made from carbon fibers are used to manufacture aircraft or automobile bodies. Carbon fiber is strong and lightweight, improving fuel efficiency. This means longer travel distances and the ability to transport more goods. However, it is also more expensive. Carbon fiber costs about ten times more than glass fiber.

'T2 Thermal Insulation Nozzle for Launch Vehicle Inserted into the Launch Vehicle'

We moved to the research center at the Miryang factory. On one side, composites were being burned in flames reminiscent of a blacksmith’s forge. Composites must not burn or emit toxic substances or smoke, as this could be fatal to weapons system operations. They had to withstand flames at 1,200 degrees Celsius for 2 to 3 minutes to pass the test.

Inside the research center was also a secret workshop. The types of composites vary depending on the fiber-to-resin ratio, which is a core technology. Researchers were as meticulous as artisans seasoning food. There are over 8,000 standardized types of composites produced this way. These composites must undergo various tests. Inside the research center, seven types of tests were underway, including tensile strength under stretching, compression under crushing, and bending under flexion.

Composites Tested for Over 2 Minutes in 1,200-Degree Flames

In the adjacent building, composites were being made from glass fibers. Machines used in textile factories made loud noises. It looked like white fabric was being woven from fine glass fiber materials. When several layers of this fabric are stacked and compressed under high heat, glass fiber composites are formed. In the opposite building, composites were made from carbon fiber materials. Carbon fiber strands less than 1 cm wide were made from 12,000 threads and woven into fabric.

Kim Hyung-jin, Executive Director of the New Materials Business Division, said, “Through localization technology, we have acquired core technologies in the space, aviation, and defense sectors,” adding, “Stable supply will also contribute to the export of ‘K-Defense.’”