Recent advances in aluminum oxynitride (ALON) optical ceramic

Lee M. Goldman; Thomas M. Hartnett; Joseph M. Wahl; Robert J. Ondercin; Karen R. Olson

doi:10.1117/12.439195

7 September 2001 Recent advances in aluminum oxynitride (ALON) optical ceramic

Lee M. Goldman, Thomas M. Hartnett, Joseph M. Wahl, Robert J. Ondercin, Karen R. Olson

Proceedings Volume 4375, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials VII; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.439195
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing, Simulation, and Controls, 2001, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Aluminum Oxynitride or ALON optical ceramic is transparent material, developed and patented by Raytheon, which is very similar to sapphire, being comprised mostly of Al₂O₃ with a small amount of additional nitrogen. This nitrogen addition has the effect of producing a cubic material whose optical and mechanical properties are isotropic. Importantly, this means that it can be produced by powder processing methods, which are scalable to larger sizes, and at lower prices than can be achieved by the single crystal growth techniques that are used to grow sapphire. Furthermore, its isotropic properties make it much easier to grind and polish than sapphire. Recently, the interest in ALON optical ceramic has grown substantially following impressive results in ballistic testing. Ballistic laminates, containing ALON layers, have demonstrated protection against armor piercing rounds, at half the areal density and thickness of conventional ballistic laminates. ALON plates as large as 14x20in are being produced, under Air Force funding, for evaluation as IR windows and transparent armor, using conventional powder processing techniques. The production processes themselves are now being scaled to produce large pieces and large quantities of ALON optical ceramic.

Citation Download Citation

Lee M. Goldman, Thomas M. Hartnett, Joseph M. Wahl, Robert J. Ondercin, and Karen R. Olson "Recent advances in aluminum oxynitride (ALON) optical ceramic", Proc. SPIE 4375, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials VII, (7 September 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.439195

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