High Strength, Transparent, Edge Bonded IR Spinel Windows Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.2 Topic No.: N08-134 Topic Title: High Strength, Transparent, Edge Bonded IR Spinel Windows Proposal No.: N082-134-0825 Firm: Materials & Electrochemical Research (MER) Corp. 7960 S. Kolb Rd. Tucson, Arizona 85706-9237 Contact: Juan Sepulveda Phone: (520) 574-1980 Web Site: www.mercorp.com Abstract: This Phase I SBIR Navy Program proposes the development of high strength bonded transparent magnesium aluminum spinel windows for next generation aircraft such as the JSF and F/A-XX (N-UCAS), other defense armor applications and similar commercial applications which require windows as large as 76 cm x 76 cm x 1.3 cm at an affordable cost. The spinel bonding technology proposed for this project consists of chemically activated direct bonding (CADBT), an epoxy-free solution-assisted optical-contacting process. Benefits: CADBT is a highly repeatable and manufacturable process that relies on a well-studied chemical activation. The process results in a bond as strong as bulk material, as precise and transparent as traditional optical-contact bonds, and as reliable as high-temperature frit bonding. Most important, it can be performed with high yields with a variety of materials, even including dissimilar materials, and over large areas. For the solution presented for this project CADBT will be exclusively applied to transparent spinel ceramics. Tiled bonded spinel parts as large as 6"x6"x0.5" consisting of four spinel tiles 3"x3"x0.5" each will be produced during Phase I. The main advantageous feature of the solution proposed by MER is the nature of spinel-to-spinel bond which is accomplished without the need of adding a second foreign interface material (or glue). This provides the bond line with perfect transparency and very high bond strength. Although the technology to be developed is primarily intended for military applications such as, large, bullet-proof windows/windshields for commercial armored vehicles could also be fabricated by the bonding technology developed under this project. Public benefits derive from every sector requiring transparent, high strength ceramics. Other commercial applications include fixed and portable point of sale (POS) terminals, firefighter and police face shields, and other applications where a rugged, tough, scratch, resistant, transparent material is required like protective transparent windows. Return