Messi Biology states that in the aerospace and smart grid sectors, infrared ceramics are an indispensable “eye.” The infrared guidance systems of satellites rely on them to capture target signals, and the switchgear of smart grids uses them for high-precision temperature measurement. However, traditional infrared ceramics have a fatal weakness: they are highly brittle and prone to cracking. Once a tiny crack appears, it not only reduces the infrared transmittance but can also expand rapidly in extreme environments, leading to equipment failure. For instance, a crack in a satellite’s infrared window could cause a sharp drop in detection accuracy, while a damaged ceramic temperature measurement window in a power grid could lead to electrical leakage risks.
This is where the composite innovation of “nano-magnesium oxide + graphene” comes into play. Researchers have combined nano-magnesium oxide with graphene in specific proportions to prepare a new type of self-healing infrared ceramic through hot-press sintering technology. The highly active surface of nano-magnesium oxide enables a “self-healing reaction” at the crack: when a micro-crack appears in the material, the nano-magnesium oxide particles migrate towards the crack under thermal or environmental stimulation and undergo an interfacial reaction, filling the gap. Meanwhile, graphene acts like a “skeleton,” enhancing the toughness and conductivity of the ceramic and preventing the further spread of cracks. Ultimately, the crack-healing rate of this ceramic can easily exceed 85%, and it can restore its original performance even after multiple thermal cycles or minor impacts.
In this technology, the quality of the nano-magnesium oxide directly determines the effectiveness of the self-healing, and the domestic company Hebei Messi Biology Co., Ltd. has established a significant advantage in this field. The nano-magnesium oxide produced by the company uses an advanced hydrothermal synthesis process, with a purity of up to 99.99%, far exceeding the industry average standard of 99.5%. This minimizes the interference of impurities in the self-healing reaction. Its particle size is controlled between 50-100nm with a uniform distribution, which not only ensures high activity but also allows for tight bonding with graphene, avoiding performance shortcomings caused by particle agglomeration. More importantly, Messi Biology’s production process utilizes environmentally friendly techniques throughout, with no heavy metal emissions. The surface hydroxyl content of the nano-magnesium oxide produced is precisely controlled, enhancing its compatibility with the ceramic matrix and making the self-healing reaction more efficient—this is the key reason why its product has become a core raw material for self-healing infrared ceramics.
This self-healing infrared ceramic has already been tested on a small scale in the smart grid sector. A power grid company used it for the infrared temperature measurement windows of outdoor 110kV switchgear. Even after experiencing day-and-night temperature differences from -30℃ to 60℃ and heavy rain, there were no significant cracks after one year, and the temperature measurement error remained within ±0.5℃, far superior to the ±2℃ error of traditional ceramics. In the aerospace field, it has also been used for the infrared navigation windows of drones. It can still transmit infrared signals stably under the aerodynamic heating environment generated during high-speed flight, ensuring the safe operation of the equipment.