Quick Overview on Essential properties and Application of Aluminium Nitride

Aluminum nitride is a technical ceramic with interesting properties that finds extensive use ceramic and metal shaping industry. It is a covalent bonded material having a hexagonal crystal structure. The thermal conductivity of sintered aluminum nitride is significantly higher than many other technical ceramics.

It is a good electrical insulator and is used for heat sink applications. Aluminum nitride powder is also used in the production of soft machinable ceramic due to its properties of high thermal conductivity.

Essential properties of Aluminium Nitride are:

1. Very high thermal conductivity
2. Good electrical insulation
3. Corrosion resistant
4. Utilization to fabricate large shape
5. High dielectric strength
6. Resistant to attack by most molten metals
7. High volume resistivity
8. Resistant to attack of molten salts such as chlorides and cryolite.
9. Attacked by acids and alkalis
10. Susceptible to hydrolysis by water

The most remarkable property exhibited by AlN is its high thermal conductivity. Its thermal conductivity is second only to metal beryllia. This high conductivity coupled greater dielectric strength leads to its application as microelectronic components. At temperatures around 200°C its thermal conductivity exceeds that of copper.

This material remains stable at very high temperatures up to 1370°C. Above this temperature bulk oxidation of Aluminium nitride occurs. Aluminum nitride is stable in hydrogen and carbon dioxide atmospheres. The material dissolves slowly in mineral acids, and dissolves rapidly in strong alkalis through aluminum nitride grains attack. The material hydrolyzes slowly in water.

The process of machining alone involves a number of steps in order to transform the raw material into the final product. Under this process, a step by step controlled material removal process is followed using relative motion. Relative motion is required between the raw material and working tools to perform machining operation on a metal. Machining Aluminium nitride is the process in which  it is cut into a desired final shape & size by a controlled material-removal process.  Typical Aluminium nitride alloy machining is done with advanced machining tools and equipment (3 Axis, 5 Axis, 7 axis and 9 axis) high speed cutting tools, laser microscopes &measuring machines are used.  Most recent applications of Aluminium Nitride Products are in the electronics industry.

Typical uses of Aluminum Nitride products include:

1. Substrates for electronic packages
2. Semiconductor processing chamber fixtures and insulators
3. Molten metal handling components
4. Products made from AlN are used for Heat sinks
5. Used for IC packages
6. Power transistor bases
7. Microwave device packages
8. Material processing kiln furniture