Topic: Transparent aluminum as armour.

[Nemesis]

Link to full article

The Air Force Research Laboratory's materials and manufacturing directorate is testing aluminum oxynitride -- ALONtm -- as a replacement for the traditional multi-layered glass transparencies now used in existing ground and air armored vehicles.

The test is being done in conjunction with the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and University of Dayton Research Institute, Ohio.

ALONtm is a ceramic compound with a high compressive strength and durability. When polished, it is the premier transparent armor for use in armored vehicles, said. 1st Lt. Joseph La Monica, transparent armor sub-direction lead

"The substance itself is light years ahead of glass," he said, adding that it offers "higher performance and lighter weight."

[Commander Maxillius]

Link to full article

The Air Force Research Laboratory's materials and manufacturing directorate is testing aluminum oxynitride -- ALONtm -- as a replacement for the traditional multi-layered glass transparencies now used in existing ground and air armored vehicles.

The test is being done in conjunction with the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., and University of Dayton Research Institute, Ohio.

ALONtm is a ceramic compound with a high compressive strength and durability. When polished, it is the premier transparent armor for use in armored vehicles, said. 1st Lt. Joseph La Monica, transparent armor sub-direction lead

"The substance itself is light years ahead of glass," he said, adding that it offers "higher performance and lighter weight."

:O   

Scotty: ...Transparent Aluminum.

chemist:  It could take years just to understand the dynamics of this matrix!

Bones: But you'll be rich beyond the dreams of Avarice!  Excuse me, I need to have a word with the Professor.

chemis: certainly

Bones: (whispers) You do realize we're altering history?

Scotty: Why?  How do we know he didn't invent the thing?

[kmelew]

This is pretty cool!! 

BTW Casio has created a transparent ceramic lens element and is starting use it in some of their digital cameras.

[The Postman]

...and the future takes root in the present.

[Nemesis]

A 2nd Article onthe subject

Sniper shots

During tests conducted at the University of Dayton Research Institute, also in Ohio, the material withstood armour-piercing rounds fired from a .30 calibre Russian M-44 sniper rifle and a .50 calibre Browning sniper rifle.

It also withstood repeated strikes from .30 calibre armour-piercing bullets. Ordinary bullet-proof glass would need to be made far thicker by tens of centimetres to become equally robust. Further tests will determine how well the screen holds up to multiple impacts from larger calibre shells, as well as explosives.

“It is impressive,” says Ronald Hoffman of the University of Dayton Research Institute, who ran the tests. He told New Scientist the material would most likely be used in vehicles such as military aircraft, where the weight of amour is crucial.

The only drawback is that ALON is expensive to make. It costs up to $15 per square inch (2.5 centimetres squared) – three times more than normal bullet-proof glass.

That is because the machinery required for fabrication is expensive and because the material must undergo intensive polishing before use. However, Hoffman believes the price will drop if it is manufactured in large enough quantities.

[Brush Wolf]

Very interesting. While they keep mentioning the increased cost, the increase in protection seems to be on about the same level as the increased cost. With that taken into account it would seem to be a good value for those applications that require the increased protection.

[Nemesis]

Very interesting. While they keep mentioning the increased cost, the increase in protection seems to be on about the same level as the increased cost. With that taken into account it would seem to be a good value for those applications that require the increased protection.

I wonder what the weight savings would be on commercial aircraft, enough to save sufficient fuel to profitably use the more expensive material?

[Nemesis]

Transparent aluminums flaw

[Villa64]

I wonder what the weight savings would be on commercial aircraft, enough to save sufficient fuel to profitably use the more expensive material?

I think the weight savings is over bulletproof glass, not standard aircraft cockpit and window glass.  The aircraft application would be where the aircraft needs bulletproof glass, but weight makes it a liability.

[Nemesis]

I think the weight savings is over bulletproof glass, not standard aircraft cockpit and window glass.  The aircraft application would be where the aircraft needs bulletproof glass, but weight makes it a liability.

Assuming that the density is comparable to glass then the greater strength should still be enough to allow a thinner window and therefore a weight saving.  The articles did not specify the density so this is speculative.