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> Transparent aluminum, also known as aluminum oxynitride, is a transparent polycrystalline ceramic with a cubic spinel crystal structure made of nitrogen, oxyg
by xref 7y ago
> Transparent aluminum, also known as aluminum oxynitride, is a transparent polycrystalline ceramic with a cubic spinel crystal structure made of nitrogen, oxygen and aluminum. It is optically transparent in the near-ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions. It is four times harder than fused silica glass, 85% harder than sapphire and 15% harder than magnesium aluminate spinel. The material remains solid up to 1200°C (2190°F). It has good corrosion resistance and resistance to damage from radiation and oxidation. It is about three times harder than steel of the same thickness.
https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8095 https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=8095
- Tagbert 7y agoso.... not really aluminum, just another ceramic with a high aluminum content.
- grzm 7y agoFrom the article: > "We cannot create transparent aluminum in real life, but we can get close with two transparent ceramics made from aluminum compounds"
- xref 7y agoArticle is upfront about it not being “elemental transparent aluminum” (a distinction not made in the Star Trek movie I believe?) I mean, even aluminum aircraft bodies are mostly alloys but we call it aluminum
- saagarjha 7y agoAlloys are most certainly metal, though.