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Aluminum is an optically transparent crystalline material made of aluminate powder alloy,
which is known as aluminum oxynitride (ALON).
As a common building material, aluminum is aesthetically pleasing when a transparent element is added to it.
ALON or translucent aluminum is used in various applications such as infrared optical windows, sensor components, and the military defense industry.
Transparent aluminum features
- Transparent aluminum or ALON is a transparent polycrystalline ceramic with a cubic crystal spinel structure. Its chemical formula is Al 2 O 27 N 5 .
2. ALON is produced by combining aluminum, oxygen and nitrogen.
The manufacturing process also involves pressing aluminum oxynitride powder to 15,000 psi in rubber molds immersed in hydraulic fluid.
The obtained material, which is cast and opaque, is heated to 2000 °C and kept at this temperature for two days.
Once cooled, ALON appears transparent, which is then ground and polished for added clarity and strength.
3. ALON can be manufactured as bars, tubes, panels, windows, domes and other shapes using traditional ceramic powder pressing techniques.
4. ALON grinding and polishing during its manufacture improves its impact resistance and mechanical properties.
Transparent aluminum properties
It is optically transparent, i.e. 80% transparency over the region from near ultraviolet to visible and near infrared wavelengths.
The material remains solid up to 1200°C and is highly flexible.
It is also three times stiffer than steel of the same thickness.
Clear aluminum is also resistant to lamination because it has less residual stress between the plates.
Translucent aluminum provides excellent uniformity of the refractive index over large areas, since it is completely pure.
It is also scratch resistant and has high life expectancy.
Transparent aluminum applications
The hardness of translucent aluminum makes it a great choice for infrared windows.
It is also used to make armored windows and optical lenses.
Transparent aluminum is used to manufacture bulletproof glass.
It is also used in infrared (IR) domes and related applications in semiconductors.
It is used in refractories, insulators and heat radiation panels.
The production of transparent aluminum with high transparency poses some challenges,
which include:
- Reducing impurities
- Control of grain boundaries
- Elimination of micropores
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