Thermal barrier specialist Zircotec has been selected as a supplier to the Bloodhound Project, a land speed record attempt hoping to achieve 1000mph. The company will work with the team’s engineers to protect an array of materials including steel, aluminium, titanium and composites using its plasma sprayed ceramics to shield the driver, structure and sensitive electrical systems from heat.

Key areas for coating include: composite body panels surrounding the titanium afterburner nozzle petals; the catalyst pack at the end of the casing of the 18in Falcon Rocket, that will be generating 27,500 lb of thrust; and exhaust manifolds for the 650bhp MCT V12, which will be running at 10,500rpm for 22s during the rocket firing cycle.