Cost-Effective Processing of High-Purity Gamma Aluminum Oxynitride

As an excellent candidate material for transparent armor systems, missile domes, high temperature windows and other engineering applications, gamma-aluminum oxynitride (AlON) has attracted much attention due to its many interesting mechanical, optical andchemical properties. However, there are many inherent difficulties and limitations in processing and manufacturing of AlON powders, and the high cost of AlON powders and components is a hindrance to the widespread applications. In this Phase I research,Nanomat, Inc. will demonstrate that high-purity AlON powders can be synthesized in an efficient and cost-effective manner by using a proprietary and scalable process. The synthesis, structure, chemistry, particle size and particle size distribution ofAlON powder will be characterized and optimized. Nanomat, Inc. will also consolidate the AlON powders and preliminarily evaluate the mechanical and optical properties of the compacts.AlON materials have a wide variety of commercial and defenseapplications, including IR windows, missile domes, metal vapor lamp envelopes, high temperature window, transparent armor systems (e.g., vision blocks for tanks and face shields for individual soldier). Due to its chemical stability at high temperatures,AlON can also be used as refractories in metallurgical and materials industries.