Materials: An Aerospace Perspective

Todd Steyer, Ph.D.  
Manager
Extreme Environment Materials
The Boeing Company 

Innovation is often enabled by advances in materials technology.  Aerospace is no  different  in  that  regard.    The  roles  of  material  scientists/engineers in  aerospace are to: discover, develop, engineer, and support.  This talk explores the roles of material scientists/engineers from the perspective of high temperature materials  for  extreme  environments,  with  particular  emphasis  on  thermal  protection systems and ceramic matrix composites. Integrated
computational materials  engineering  (ICME)  is  also  discussed  as  an  opportunity  to  shorten  the  development  and  maturation  of  new  material  technologies  as  well  as  hasten their incorporation into aerospace products.

Todd  leads  a  team  of  materials  engineers  focused  on  developing,  evaluating,  and  transitioning  high  temperature  materials  to  vehicle  programs. He  also  serves as the deputy skill team leader for the ceramics, thermal protection, and low  observable  materials  and  process  engineering  function for  Boeing.    He  is  the 2012-2014 Vice Chair of the United States Advanced Ceramics Association (USACA).  Education:  Ph.D.  in  Materials  Science  and  Engineering,  Northwestern  University;  BS  in  Metallurgical  Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon.