Aluminum Nitride (AlN) Ceramic Material

Aluminum Nitride (AlN), a covalently-bonded ceramic, is synthesized from the abundant elements aluminum and nitrogen. It does not occur naturally.

AlN is stable in inert atmospheres at temperatures over 2000°C. It exhibits high thermal conductivity but is, uniquely, a strong dielectric. This unusual combination of properties makes AlN a critical advanced material for many future applications in optics, lighting, electronics and renewable energy.

Surmet is the only US-based supplier with the ability to synthesize tonnage quantities of high quality AlN powder, or to fabricate sintered AlN components in complex shapes for electronic and industrial customers. Surmet's Buffalo, NY facility has been a leading supplier of high purity AlN to international customers for over 20 years.

In addition to powder production, Surmet is capable of producing and supplying sintered AlN products. To meet the growing demand for thermal management, Surmet is developing copper metalized Aluminum Nitride tapes, net-shaped complex 3D structures and composites. Advanced products such as AlN micro-channel reactors and AlN substrates with novel embedded metallic structures are under development.

Advantages of AlN

• Uniform microstructure
• High thermal conductivity* (70-180 Wm-1K-1), tailored via processing conditions and additives
• High electrical resistivity
• Thermal expansion coefficient close to that of Silicon
• Resistance to corrosion and erosion
• Excellent thermal shock resistance
• Chemically stable up to 980°C in H2 and CO2 atmospheres, and in air up to 1380°C (surface oxidation occurs around 780°C; the surface layer protects the bulk up to 1380°C).

Powder Features

• Multiple grades (produced through both direct nitridation and carbothermal reduction methods) available for competitive cost for various applications.
• Suitable for tape-casting, sintering, hot pressing or as thermally conductive fillers in polymers.
• Compositionally homogenous for high thermal conductivity.
• Water-resistant "WR" grade of powders available.