Abstract: Transparent dome elements for future higher speedmissile systems place stringent requirements on themechanical properties of the dome material. Currentlyno material meets all the requirements. Among the fivecandidate oxide materials, sapphire appears to be thebest choice based upon material properties, thermalshock resistance and status of material production. Adisadvantage of sapphire is that it must be produced insingle crystal form because of its anisotropicstructure. A new approach to produce near net- shapedsapphire domes from the melt is discussed. Multiplenear-net-shaped sapphire domes of various sizes andcurvature have been produced.!29
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