transparent ceramics

Q. What transparent ceramic products are currently available from MSI?

A. MSI's sapphire edge bonding and finishing technologies are available for use in armor and window applications. They have been tested by the U.S. Army and shown to meet important ballistic threat protection requirements. We are seeking strategic partners to commercialize our technologies in both sapphire windows and AlON transparent ceramic materials.

Q. Does MSI's glass-coated sapphire have the same transmittance characteristics as conventional polished sapphire?

A. MSI's glass-coated sapphire has essentially the same transmittance characteristics as polished sapphire. The glass coating is sufficiently thin that it does not significantly impede optical and infrared transmittance.

Q. How large can MSI's sapphire windows be made?

A. MSI has demonstrated joining of sapphire panes into larger windows up to 0.75m x 0.4m in area. However, as the size becomes larger, the strength of the joined sapphire window drops and the cost increases because of the number and complexity of the joints. Generally, the largest size joined sapphire windows that MSI can produce is limited to 0.5m x 0.3m. It is best to call us to discuss your needs so that we can determine how MSI can best address your application requirements.

Q. Can MSI's transparent ceramics be made in curved shapes?

A. MSI is developing, under Army SBIR funding, methods for forming AlON domes for missile windows using its ceramics injection molding technology. MSI has also built prototype sapphire windows that have double curvature using its edge bonding technology. Call us if you need curved ceramic window parts so that we can evaluate your application requirements against our new and emerging capabilities in injection molded transparent ceramics.