What Starfire Systems does

Starfire Systems, Inc. is a specialty materials company founded in 1988 and headquartered in Glenville, New York, that develops and manufactures silicon-based pre-ceramic polymers which transform into advanced ceramics through controlled pyrolysis. The company's proprietary Polymer-to-Ceramic (PDC) technology platform, anchored by its 1991 flagship SMP-10 silicon-carbide-forming polymer, encompasses polycarbosilane and polysiloxane polymer families that yield near-stoichiometric SiC and SiOC ceramics with thermal stability to 2500°C+ and nanoscale grain sizes achievable at temperatures as low as 800°C. Its portfolio spans four product families: ceramic forming polymers (SMP-10, SMP-500, SMP-750, SMP-800, SMP-850, SHP-199 Hafnium Carbide precursor), thermosetting polymers marketed under the Polyramic brand, carbon-fiber bulk molding compounds, and specialty silanes used as CVD precursors.

The underlying process — Polymer Infiltration and Pyrolysis (PIP) — uses standard ceramic kilns and conventional composite manufacturing equipment (wet layup, compression molding) to produce lightweight, near-net-shape ceramic matrix composites at temperatures significantly below traditional sintering, lowering both capital and processing cost barriers. Products are sold into aerospace, military, friction materials, semiconductor, industrial, nuclear, armor, and electronics segments, with named end uses including NASA Space Shuttle NOAX thermal protection, Orion Launch Abort System attitude control motor components, hypersonic vehicle parts, carbon ceramic brake rotors, low-k dielectric semiconductor films, and nuclear fuel pellets with enhanced thermal conductivity.

Starfire generates revenue through direct sales of specialty chemicals to enterprise and government customers, supplemented by technology licensing agreements (e.g., Thorn Tree Technology for carbon ceramic brake rotor commercialization) and channel-partner distribution in Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Named customers include NASA, the US Army Research Labs, Alliant Techsystems (ATK), IBM, Honeywell, Diamond Innovations, and AREVA. The company has been funded through a $10M equity investment from Palladium Equity Partners in 2007, multiple NYSERDA grants, and a $7M US Army Research Labs contract in 2005; it operates a manufacturing facility opened in 2016 and employs between 11 and 50 people.

Name

Starfire Systems

Legal name

Starfire Systems, Inc.

Website

https://starfiresystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Starfire Systems is a Glenville, NY-based specialty materials company, founded in 1988, that develops proprietary silicon-based pre-ceramic polymers transforming into advanced ceramics for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, friction, nuclear, and industrial customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Ceramic Materials

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

Aerospace Thermal Management, Insulation & Fire Protection Materials (IMABANAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Flame-Retardant & Smoke-Suppressant Compounds (IMANABAG)

Keywords

• Ceramic forming polymers
• Polymer-to-ceramic materials
• Silicon carbide ceramics
• Specialty silane compounds
• Ceramic matrix composites

Headquarters

HQ city

Schenectady

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ceramic Forming Polymers: Sale of pre-ceramic polymers including SMP-10, SMP-500, SMP-750, SMP-800, SMP-850, and related products for SiC and SiOC ceramic matrix composite fabrication.
2. Specialty Silanes: CVD precursors and fine chemicals for semiconductor dielectric coatings, matrix densification, and pharmaceutical intermediates.
3. Technology Licensing: License and supply agreements for polymer-to-ceramic technology applications, such as the license agreement with Thorn Tree Technology for carbon ceramic brake rotor commercialization.
4. Bulk Molding Compounds: Carbon fiber bulk molding compounds (SBMC series) for compression molding of ceramic composite parts.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Starfire Systems synthesizes silicon-based pre-ceramic polymers and SOL-GEL derived oxide forming materials, including polycarbosilanes (yielding silicon carbide), polysiloxanes (yielding silicon oxycarbide), and specialty silane compounds. These materials are sold to aerospace, defense, semiconductor, automotive, nuclear, and industrial customers for use in polymer matrix composites, ceramic matrix composite fabrication, and chemical vapor deposition of dielectric coatings.

Product overview

Starfire Systems is a specialty materials company focused on Polymer Derived Ceramics (PDC) and its Polymer-to-Ceramic™ technology. The company offers a portfolio of four main product families: (1) Ceramic Forming Polymers including silicon carbide (SiC) polycarbosilane-based products like SMP-10, SMP-750, SMP-850, SHP-199 (hafnium carbide), and silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) polysiloxane-based polymers; (2) Thermosetting Polymers marketed as Polyramic® Resins (SPR-212, SPR-036, SPR-100, SPR-684, SPR-688) for flame resistant and high temperature applications; (3) Molding Compounds including bulk molding compounds (SDMC-181, SDMC-291, SDMC-391/396, SBMC-900, SBMC-998) for compression molding; and (4) Specialty Silanes for CVD precursors and fine chemicals used in semiconductor dielectric coatings. These products are used in polymer matrix composites, oxide and SiC based ceramic matrix composite (CMC) fabrication, and semiconductor applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Polyramic: Polyramic is a family of polysiloxane thermosetting resins developed by Starfire Systems, used for composite/coating applications with inherent flame retardance, halogen-free compliance, and high temperature resistance.
• Polymer-to-Ceramic

Products and services

• Ceramic Forming Polymers - Silicon Carbide (SiC) Polycarbosilane Proprietary silicon carbide forming polycarbosilane polymers (SMP-10, SMP-500, SMP-750, SMP-800, SMP-850) that yield near-stoichiometric SiC ceramics when pyrolyzed. Highest strength polymers in the portfolio, thermally stable to 2500C+, available in hot-melt versions. Used by aerospace, defense, and industrial customers to fabricate lightweight, high-temperature ceramic matrix composites.
• Ceramic Forming Polymers - Silicon Oxycarbide (SiOC) Polysiloxane Polysiloxane-based silicon oxycarbide resins designed for tough, durable ceramics for moderate service temperatures up to 1200C. Cost-effective ceramic formers with configurable Si-O-C ratios. Used for composite and coating applications with inherent flame retardance and halogen-free compliance.
• SHP-199 Hafnium Carbide Precursor Ultra-high temperature ceramic forming precursor that transforms into thermally stable hafnium carbide (HfC). Cures at or below 200C, converts to crystalline HfC at 1600C. Particularly useful for ceramic matrix composites in hypersonic vehicle parts and re-entry vehicle applications.
• Polyramic Thermosetting Resins Family of polysiloxane thermosetting resins (SPR-212, SPR-036, SPR-100, SPR-684, SPR-688) with processing requirements similar to traditional plastic polymers. Features inherent flame retardance, halogen-free compliance, low CTE, Dk, and Df, high-modulus composites, and excellent thermal stability. Used in electronics laminates, coatings, and high temperature components.
• Molding Compounds (BMC) Bulk Molding Compound formulations containing carbon fiber, polysiloxane resin, and refractory particulate (SDMC-181, SDMC-291, SDMC-391/396, SBMC-900, SBMC-998). Easily moldable using compression mold tooling with no solvent removal required. Used for compression molding of ceramic composite parts including bearings, nozzles, washers, armor, automotive, and industrial components.
• Specialty Silanes - CVD Precursors Cyclic silane compounds (CVD-4000, CVD-189, CVD-742, SP-DMPCS) for chemical vapor deposition of SiC and related materials as coatings or infiltration. Patented precursors simplify coating and densification processes, with gram to multi-kilogram quantities available and short lead times. Used in semiconductor dielectric coatings and matrix densification.
• Specialty Silanes - Fine Chemicals Fine chemical intermediates (SP-DEPCS, SP-DMPCS, SP-MMPCS) based on polycarbosilanes and silicon chemistry expertise, produced at higher yields using unique synthetic processing methods. Used as high-purity intermediates for synthesizing pharmaceuticals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Brake rotor successfully endured conditions equivalent to 5,500 lb vehicle at 160+ mph to dead stop while maintaining excellent friction coefficient
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• University of Delaware Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2012Joined UD-CCM Industry-University Research Consortium 'Application of Composite Materials to Industrial Products'. Consortium partners with companies to advance composite materials technology and accelerate commercialization. Starfire gains access to CCM's state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, proprietary software, consultation with experts, and collaborative R&D with faculty and students on processing of pre-ceramic polymers.
• Thorn Tree TechnologyflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 28 November 2011License and supply agreement with Thorn Tree Technology's Turbine Rotors Division for development and commercialization of lightweight carbon ceramic brake rotor. Starfire's Polymer-to-Ceramic technology enabled substantial improvements to Turbine Rotors' patented lightweight brake design technology while allowing competitive pricing on high-performance Carbon Ceramic rotors for mass commercialization.
• Thorn Tree TechnologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 September 2011Initial partnership agreement signed outlining cooperation in development of ceramic brake rotor for Turbine Rotor Division. Collaboration followed technological advancements to Polymer-to-Ceramic Composite (PTCC) Friction Materials.
• Allter Technology Co., LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTaiwan distributor for Starfire Systems products. Located at Rm. 5, 8F., No.54, Sec. 4 Minsheng E. Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City 105, Taiwan.
• MMS - Performance Material ProviderminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKorea distributor for Starfire Systems products. Located at T-9095 Garden 5Life 66, Chungmin-ro, Songpa-gu Seoul, Korea 05838.
• NTK International CorporationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan distributor for Starfire Systems products. Located at NTK Bldg, 3-7-15 Meieki-minami Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Japan 450-00030.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ube Industries: Ube Industries (Japan) is the historical leader in polycarbosilane-derived SiC fiber manufacturing (Tyranno fiber). Directly comparable to Starfire as a polycarbosilane/SiC precursor producer serving high-temperature ceramic applications in aerospace and industrial markets.
• Gelest (Mitsubishi Chemical): Gelest, now part of Mitsubishi Chemical, produces specialty silanes and silicon-based materials including silane coupling agents and cyclic silanes. Directly comparable to Starfire's specialty silanes CVD precursors and silicon chemistry product lines serving semiconductor and advanced materials customers.

Broad incumbents

• Momentive Technologies: Momentive Technologies (spun from Momentive Performance Materials) manufactures specialty silicon-based materials, ceramics, and fused quartz serving aerospace, semiconductor, and industrial markets. Comparable as a broader specialty silicones/ceramics incumbent with overlapping high-temperature applications.
• Dow (Dow Corning silicones): Dow's silicones division (formerly Dow Corning) produces silicon-based specialty materials including polysiloxanes and silanes serving aerospace, electronics, and industrial markets. Broad incumbent with overlapping silicon chemistry platform and scale advantages over Starfire.
• Wacker Chemie: Wacker Chemie is a leading manufacturer of specialty silicones, polysiloxanes, and silanes serving electronics, automotive, and construction markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent silicon chemistry platform with overlapping thermosetting resin and specialty silane products.
• CoorsTek: CoorsTek is a large technical ceramics manufacturer producing SiC, silicon nitride, and other advanced ceramics for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and industrial applications. Comparable as a high-temperature ceramics incumbent with overlapping CMC and thermal protection applications.
• Saint-Gobain: Saint-Gobain's High-Performance Materials division produces technical ceramics, including SiC and refractory products serving aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Broad incumbent with overlapping high-temperature ceramic and friction material offerings.
• Mersen (formerly H.C. Starck): Mersen (which acquired H.C. Starck's portfolio) produces specialty graphite, silicon carbide, and refractory ceramics for high-temperature aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. Comparable as a broad specialty ceramics incumbent with overlapping SiC and high-temperature material offerings.

Emerging players

• Free Form Fibers: Free Form Fibers produces SiC fiber via a chemical vapor deposition process targeting CMC reinforcement for aerospace and hypersonic applications. Comparable as an emerging player in SiC fiber/ceramic precursors serving overlapping hypersonic and high-temperature CMC markets.
• Haydale Graphene Industries: Haydale is a specialty materials company developing silicon carbide whiskers and advanced ceramic composites for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. Comparable as an emerging player in SiC-enhanced composites with overlapping lightweight high-temperature material applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds9 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Starfire Systems