Hypersonic Alumina Infrared Domes

CeraNova Corporation proposes to produce ogive missile domes of its transparent polycrystalline alumina (PCA) as an advanced material for this application. PCA has the same intrinsic properties as sapphire, but can be manufactured using the proposed low-cost powder processing method allowing for near-net-shape manufacturing. Like sapphire, PCA offers excellent erosion and wear resistance due to its high hardness, combined with good strength and toughness. CeraNova recently demonstrated a low-cost, powder processing route for producing transparent, fine-grained PCA disks that has the potential to meet or exceed the capabilities of sapphire in demanding infrared window and dome applications. The disks displayed low scattering and good in-line transmittance, particularly in the 3-5 ìm range. CeraNova's proposed approach is to produce near-net ogive shapes using a casting method demonstrated for small PCA components. The feasibility of grinding and polishing ogive shapes will be studied by teaming with other laboratories who have expertise and unique capabilities for figuring and optical polishing of hard ceramic materials. The uniform polycrystalline microstructure, increased hardness and toughness, and potential for near-net shape processing for CeraNova PCA present significant advantages for this material in infrared window and dome applications for high speed ogive missiles.