Application prospect of sapphire metallization in aerospace field

Sapphire, as an excellent material, has been widely used in many high-tech fields due to its excellent hardness, thermal conductivity and optical transparency. With the progress of aerospace technology, Sapphire metallization As an important part, technology shows great potential. In the aerospace field, sapphire metallization can provide more stable and reliable performance support for the manufacturing of structural materials and optical elements. this paper Dinghongrun The basic principle, process flow, application fields and practical value of sapphire metallization technology in aerospace will be discussed.

1、 Basic principle of sapphire metallization

Sapphire (diamond type aluminum oxide, chemical formula Al ₂ O ∨) is an ideal high-performance material with very high hardness and high temperature resistance. However, the application of pure sapphire materials in the aerospace field still faces some challenges, especially the compatibility problem when connecting with other materials. In order to overcome this problem, the surface of sapphire usually needs to be metallized, that is, by coating a layer of metal material on the surface of sapphire, it can be effectively connected with other metals or alloys.

The metallization process usually uses high temperature evaporation, laser deposition, sputtering and other technologies to deposit metal materials (such as copper, gold, silver, etc.) on the surface of sapphire. This process can significantly improve the conductivity, thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance of sapphire, and enhance its bonding strength with other materials.

2、 Technological process of sapphire metallization

The technological process of sapphire metallization usually includes the following main steps:

1. Surface cleaning and treatment : First, the sapphire surface needs to be cleaned to remove impurities and oxide layer on the surface. Common cleaning methods include chemical cleaning and physical cleaning to ensure smooth surface and no pollution.
2. Metal deposition : On the cleaned sapphire surface, use physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sputtering deposition and other methods to evenly deposit the metal film on the sapphire surface. The deposited metal layer usually needs to select appropriate metal materials according to the specific application, such as gold, silver, copper, etc.
3. Treatment after metallization : The surface of the metallized sapphire needs annealing treatment to enhance the adhesion between the metal layer and the sapphire. At the same time, the annealing process can also eliminate the stress in the metal layer and improve its durability and stability.
4. Detection and verification Finally, the metallized sapphire components need to undergo various performance tests, including heat resistance test, conductivity test, adhesion test, etc., to ensure that they meet the design requirements.

3、 Application fields of sapphire metallization

Sapphire metallization technology has a broad application prospect in the aerospace field due to its superior performance, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

1. Aerospace optical element Sapphire metallization technology can be used to manufacture optical elements in aerospace, such as optical windows, lenses, etc. The metallized layer can enhance the mechanical strength and radiation resistance of optical elements. Especially in high temperatures and extreme environments, the metallized sapphire can maintain better stability and reliability.
2. High temperature electronic components Sapphire metallization technology has been widely used in high temperature electronic equipment. The metallization treatment can make sapphire have better conductivity, and can still work stably at high temperature. Therefore, metallized sapphire is widely used for packaging and heat dissipation of high-temperature electronic components in aerospace.
3. Heat exchange system : Aeronautics and spacecraft will generate a lot of heat during flight. How to effectively dissipate heat has become an important technical challenge. Sapphire’s high thermal conductivity and enhanced performance after metallization make it applied in heat exchangers and heat shielding systems, helping equipment effectively disperse heat and improve its overall performance.
4. Sensors and instruments : Metalized sapphire is also widely used to manufacture aerospace sensors and instruments. Due to its excellent corrosion resistance and high strength, sapphire can provide long-term stable working performance in harsh environments. Through metallization, the sensor can achieve better signal transmission and temperature control.

4、 Engineering value of sapphire metallization technology

The engineering value of sapphire metallization technology is reflected in the following aspects:

1. Improve material compatibility : The metallization treatment enables sapphire to better combine with other metals and alloy materials, solving the problem of difficult connection between traditional sapphire and metal. This is particularly important in the aerospace field, because multiple components of different materials often need to be connected to each other.
2. Improve durability and stability : The introduction of metallized layer can not only improve the conductivity of sapphire, but also enhance its heat resistance, corrosion resistance and wear resistance. Under extreme conditions such as high temperature, high pressure and radiation, metallized sapphire can maintain stable performance and extend its service life.
3. Achieve higher accuracy and performance : Through metallization, sapphire can be used as high-precision optical elements, electronic components and sensor materials to meet the high requirements of aerospace systems for precision and stability.

5、 Summary

Sapphire metallization technology shows a broad application prospect in the aerospace field. With its excellent performance and wide applicability, it has become one of the key technologies to promote the development of aerospace technology. Whether in optical elements, high-temperature electronic components, or in the field of heat exchange systems and sensors, metallized sapphire has shown its irreplaceable role. With the further progress of technology, the application of sapphire metallization technology will be more extensive, bringing more innovations and breakthroughs to the aerospace field.