SPINEL OPTICAL CERAMICS
PRECISION ENGINEERED OEM OPTICS USING MAGNESIUM ALUMINATE SPINEL (MgAl₂O₄) FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS
SINTX Technologies specializes in the research, development, and application of high-performance optical ceramics using magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl₂O₄) for the manufacture of OEM optics such as transparent armor, infrared lenses, and electro-optical sensors. Spinel optical ceramics are renowned for their broadband optical transmission, light weight, high hardness, and thermal stability, making them suitable for a range of applications requiring precise optical performance in extremely demanding environments.
SINTX’s OEM optical ceramics are precision-engineered to meet the rigorous manufacturing standards of the aerospace & defense sectors and are unmatched in quality and performance. Consult with our team of experts to leverage the next-gen benefits of spinel optical ceramics for your OEM optics project.
MAGNESIUM ALUMINATE SPINEL (MgAl₂O₄)
Magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl₂O₄) is a transparent polycrystalline optical ceramic that converges both precision and durability. Spinel optical ceramics are capable of controlling the wavefront of light and transmitting from the near ultraviolet through the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectrum. Its polycrystalline structure is inherently optically isotropic, corrosion resistant, and devoid of any thermally induced phase changes. This exceptional transparent ceramic has a transmission window spanning from 0.19 µm to above 5.5 µm - a range that outperforms alternative optical materials such as single crystal sapphire and ALON™. Such attributes make spinel optical ceramics a prime choice for challenging optical applications where environment is otherwise prohibitive and precise optical performance is critical.
PROPERTIES OF SPINEL OPTICAL CERAMIC
Optical Properties
-
Optical transparency from near ultraviolet through the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) spectrum
-
Transmission superiority over sapphire and ALON at 4.8 µm
-
Optically isotropic, eliminating birefringence effects
Mechanical Properties
-
Lightweight
-
High strength/hardness
-
Erosion/corrosion Resistant
Thermal Properties
-
High-temperature stability
-
Low thermal conductivity
-
Excellent thermal shock resistance
CORE APPLICATIONS FOR SPINEL OPTICAL CERAMICS
Spinel optical ceramics are fast emerging in the realm of optical technology wherever there’s a need for both strength and clarity. By combining spinel's stability, with the properties afforded by ceramic-style components, spinel optical ceramics have become incredibly valuable for a host of applications in diverse sectors. Whether it be fortifying defenses as transparent armor or reliably detecting infrared radiation without energy losses or environmental interference, the span of spinel’s contributions is vast and its potential even greater
TRANSPARENT ARMOR
The strength of transparent armor lies in its dual capacity to guard against threats while retaining supreme optical transmission. Spinel optical ceramics are ideal for this application owing to their ability to absorb shock, deflect projectiles, and withstand extreme temperatures without sacrificing optical clarity. Furthermore, when compared to current state-of-the-art ballistic glass armor, our spinel armor is 50% lighter, 50% thinner, and has greatly increased erosion resistance. In our most recent testing, SINTX’s spinel optical ceramic was the lightest weight armor qualified to the stringent Army All Weather Multi-Hit ATPD 2352R specification for Ground Combat Vehicles. Its lightweight composition provides warfighters with superior protection for both air and ground vehicles.
-
Superior ballistic protection and erosion resistance at less than half the weight and thickness of traditional glass laminates
-
Lightest weight armor qualified to demanding Army All Weather Multi-Hit ATPD 2352R specification for ground combat vehicles
-
Suitable for light ground vehicles, wheeled track vehicles, heavy transport trucks, gunner protection kits, navy surface vessels, and secret service vehicles
-
Equipped to produce Spinel transparent armor plates up to 16”x18”, 15”x20”, and 18” diameter round.
ELECTRO-OPTICAL / INFRARED LENSES & WINDOWS
As an optical ceramic, magnesium aluminate spinel is indispensable for the manufacture of both electro-optical and IR components, including windows, lenses, and domes. Spinel’s extensive transmission window results in higher image quality across diverse wavelength bands compared to standard optical glass. The isotropic attribute of spinel ensures pristine clarity by eliminating distortive birefringence effects. Magnesium aluminate spinel’s light weight and ability to withstand extreme environments make it an ideal transparent ceramic for components used in aerospace and defense sectors where clarity under extreme conditions is non-negotiable. Spinel ceramics can be engineered to meet the specifications of a range of industries by adjusting their composition and processing parameters.
-
Excellent transmission in the UV through mid-wave IR wavelengths
-
Superior refractive index stability with respect to temperature from aerodynamic heating
-
High hardness provides increased resistance to environmental abrasion and impact
-
Available as flat/curved windows, lenses, domes, hemispheres, and other optical shapes
READY FOR IMMEDIATE INTEGRATION INTO SEVERAL MARKET SEGMENTS
Spinel optical ceramics are fast emerging in the realm of optical technology wherever there’s a need for both strength and clarity. By combining spinel's stability, with the properties afforded by ceramic-style components, spinel optical ceramics have become incredibly valuable for a host of applications in diverse sectors. Whether it be fortifying defenses as transparent armor or reliably detecting infrared radiation without energy losses or environmental interference, the span of spinel’s contributions is vast and its potential even greater
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
Spinel optical ceramics are used extensively in aerospace applications due to their high durability, lightweight, and resistance to extreme temperatures. These characteristics provide spinel a definitive advantage over legacy materials for mission-critical applications requiring extreme precision, ultra-high optical quality, and superior strength.
-
Heat exchangers and nozzles
-
Air/rotorcraft transparent armor
-
Transparent armor for ground combat vehicles
-
Specialty transparent armor for clandestine applications
-
Optical sensor windows and domes for IR and tri-mode operation
-
Ballistic windows for navy surface vessels and secret service vehicles
ELECTRO-OPTICAL & IR SENSORS
Magnesium aluminate spinel’s utility extends into the realm of both electro-optical and IR sensors. This advanced optical ceramic ensures sharp imaging and reliable sensor protection across diverse environments. For optical components requiring high-quality transmission and resilience against environmental factors, spinel optical ceramics stand out as the clear choice.
-
-
Biomedical imaging devices
-
Targeting pod system components
-
MWIR lenses for high-resolution images
-
Optical train lenses for broadband sensing
-
Electro-optical lenses and windows for enhanced sensor protection
-
Transparent domes for missile guidance and multimode seeker applications
SINTX TECHNOLOGIES - WHERE PRECISION MEETS PERFORMANCE
SINTX Technologies stands as a leader in the production and application of spinel optical ceramics, catering to a wide range of industries including OEM transparent armor that's lighter and more erosion-resistant than market standards, to high-end electro-optical components. Our state-of-the-art ceramic manufacturing facility is completely US based and satisfies the rigorous performance standards of the aerospace and defense industries. Owing to SINTX's proprietary manufacturing processes and vast experience in powder metallurgy and green machining, we can adapt spinel optical ceramics to meet exacting design and performance requirements for a range of industries.
SINTX maintains significant capability to produce OEM optics in diverse configurations including optical domes, lenses, hemispheres, windows (flat and curved), and other conformal shapes. For transparent armor, SINTX has developed the processing capability to manufacture plates up to 16”x18”, 15”x20”, and 18” diameter rounds that are 50% lighter and thinner than current industry benchmarks with enhanced erosion resistance. For high-end optical applications requiring precise focusing elements, ultra-high optical transparency, and environmental durability, SINTX’s spinel ceramics are the standalone choice.
Vacuum Hot Pressing:
-
A combination of hot presses enables the production of 2,000 in² of Spinel per week in a variety of sizes. Custom sizes are available through specially designed dies or post-processing, where appropriate.
-
SINTX operates and maintains a wide variety of furnaces to develop and produce its transparent spinel ceramics. Currently, 30-ton, 250-ton and 600-ton vacuum hot presses are used to manufacture the majority of spinel components. SINTX hot presses are capable of fabricating spinel windows over 400 in2.
Pressureless Sintering:
-
Research and development of pressureless sintering at SINTX enables complex transparent shapes to be made. Standard components include domes (Hellfire and JAGM sizes), lenses, and custom-shaped components.
-
Pressureless sintering offers the potential for large economies of scale production for both military and commercial products. A variety of forming methods are available for hemispherical, ogive and aspherical shaped components.
