Aluminium oxynitride

Aluminium oxynitride

Spinel structure of ALON
Names
Systematic IUPAC name Aluminium oxynitride
Identifiers
CAS Number	12633-97-5 Y
Abbreviations	ALON
Properties
Chemical formula	(AlN)x·(Al2O3)1−x, 0.30 ≤ x ≤ 0.37
Appearance	White or transparent solid
Density	3.691–3.696 g/cm3[1]
Melting point	~2150 °C[1]
Solubility in water	insoluble
Refractive index (nD)	1.79[2]
Structure
Crystal structure	cubic spinel
Lattice constant	a = 794.6 pm[2]
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Aluminium oxynitride (marketed under the name ALON by Surmet Corporation^[3]) is a transparent ceramic composed of aluminium, oxygen and nitrogen. Aluminium oxynitride is optically transparent (≥ 80%) in the near-ultraviolet, visible, and mid-wave-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is four times as hard as fused silica glass, 85% as hard as sapphire, and nearly 115% as hard as magnesium aluminate spinel. It can be fabricated into transparent windows, plates, domes, rods, tubes, and other forms using conventional ceramic powder processing techniques.^{[citation needed]}

Aluminium oxynitride is the hardest polycrystalline transparent ceramic available commercially.^[2] Because of its relatively low weight, distinctive optical and mechanical properties, and resistance to oxidation or radiation, it shows promise for applications such as bulletproof, blast-resistant, and optoelectronic windows.^[4] Aluminium oxynitride-based armor has been shown to stop multiple armor-piercing projectiles of up to .50 BMG.^[5]