Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Code 210000D, 1 Administration Circle, China Lake, CA 93555-6100

A -- SAPPHIRE THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE IMPROVEMENT SOL N68936-97-R-0175 DUE 061797 POC Richard Reyes, Contract Specialist, 760-939-2230 or Dell Hledik, Contracting Officer, 760-939-3772. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, (NAWCWPNS) China Lake, CA intends to procure on an other than full and open competition basis, with Sienna Technologies, a materials research and development effort. This effort is a continuation of previous efforts started by Sienna Technologies personnel. The proposed contract will develop and optimize methods to increase the high temperature mechanical strength of sapphire, a window for infrared radiation, to be used as sensor domes on missiles. The purpose of this work is to improve the thermal shock resistance of optical quality sapphire by a factor of 2 at 600 degress C without significantly degrading the infrared transmittance or emittance or the thermal conductivity. The means to achieve the improvement must be second-phase toughening by a technique with demonstrated effectiveness. The contract period of performance will be for an estimated 33 months, including options. One option will generate test specimens to evaluate the performance of materialstarted under the basic contract. The second option is the fabrication of 15 sapphires domes for wind tunnel tests conducted by the government. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered. See Numbered Notes 22 and 26. (0113)

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