Aluminum Oxynitride - Transparent Armor

Aluminum Oxynitride - Transparent Armor
Aluminum Oxynitride, dubbed by some to be "transparent aluminum", is essentially a high strength ceramic polycarbonate composite, using laminated layers of a high strength alumina, sapphire-like ceramics and traditionally bullet proof plastics. AlON is optically transparent (≥80%) in the near-ultraviolet, visible and midwave-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is 4 times harder than fused silica glass, 85% as hard as sapphire, and nearly 15% harder than magnesium aluminate spinel. The high hardness, coupled with the high strength, particularly contributes to it's ballistic resistance, of which just 1.6 inches can stop a .50 caliber BMG, compared to 3.7 inches for traditional glass laminate bullet proof glass. The material is one of the strongest transparent armors in existence, and would be useful for soldier's visors, armored vehicles, and even aircraft.

Of particular interest would be used by infantry, who currently lack face masks capable of stopping standard fragmentation or rifle rounds. [1] 6mm or approximately a .25 inch of material was shown, in tests, to stop .30 caliber projectiles traveling at 850 m/s, and partially stop projectiles at 1,100 m/s. For a pierce of material 10cm x 10cm wide and a quarter inch thick, and with a density of 3.85 grams per cubic centimeter, it would weight approximately 231 grams or, half a pound. In theory, armor placed closely to the users face would allow for greater visibility with less material, allowing for improved peripheral vision without the increase of cost and potentially weight associated with using so much material. While the exact amount of material that needs to be covered to maintain suitable protection and peripheral vision varies, it's easily reasonable that this material could be used to do it. Any transparent parts of the armor, from solar panels to touch screens, could be potentially coated in this material, as well.

If used as a visor to protect soldiers, it would be one of the first steps to providing soldiers with full head protection, especially against commonly faced rifle threats, in addition to fragmentation. It would also be of particular use on EOD suits, where it could afford to be much heavier and thicker.

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