Transparent Aluminium as a Material of the Future

Transparent Aluminium, chemically referred to as Aluminium Oxynitride is a revolutionary

polycrystalline ceramic, transparent in nature. It is a material that has gained the attention of

professionals in the construction industry due to its unique combination of excellent

mechanical properties, high transparency, strength and light weight nature. This makes it a

suitable material in construction (Salifu & Olubambi, 2022). This paper will explore the

properties of transparent aluminium and how it can be used as a construction material. It will

also look into its performance, applications and its suitability. The paper will also explore the

potential impact of transparent aluminium in architecture as a new building material and how

it will affect construction now and in the future with its increasing popularity in the

construction industry, including its potential to change the way that buildings are designed

and constructed.

Figure 1: Transparent aluminium material. source-the constructor building ideas

 History of Transparent Aluminium

The development of transparent aluminium began in the early 20th century in Germany. It is

not very clear who innovated the material however the purpose of its development was

finding an alternative to the brittle and costly Plexiglas that was used for the windows of

airplanes and fighter planes. In the early 1900s, Johan Ludwig Brunswick developed a

process for producing metallic glass, which allowed him to make extremely thin sheets of

pure aluminium. This technology was soon adopted by other countries and led to the creation

of new industries like aviation (Corbin, 1989).

The first applications of transparent aluminium took place in the 1940s, when General

Electric started manufacturing cooktops that were made with this material. It was also used to

make aircraft and car parts during World War II. In 1950s and 1960s, the technology behind

transparent aluminium was further developed at university laboratories such as those at

Michigan State University, Columbia University and Northwestern University. This led to the

development of new technologies like vacuum deposition and sputtering, which allowed

manufacturers to create new kinds of aluminum alloys with even higher levels of

transparency.

In the 1960s to 1970s, the initial Al2O3-AlN (Aluminium Oxynitride) equilibrium phase

diagram was finished and the product was developed to practically full density by reactive
sintering. A translucent aluminium Oxynitride spinel ceramic was created (McCauley et al.,

2009). Since then, transparent ceramic has been widely employed in a variety of applications,

including transparent armor (Crouch, 2016).

Since its synthesis, transparent aluminium has been undergoing research and development

focusing on understanding its properties and potential applications. Today, transparent

aluminium is used in a wide range of products including traffic signs, sports equipment,

electrical products (such as circuit boards), packaging materials (such as food containers) and

architectural and construction applications (such as glass facades). The material is gaining

popularity in the construction industry as it is a tougher alternative to glass (Salifu &

Olubambi, 2022).

Composition and manufacturing process of transparent aluminium

Transparent aluminium, also known as aluminium oxynitride (AlON) is made up of

aluminium, oxygen and nitrogen. All its components play a part in making the material a

potential revolutionary construction material of the future. The chemical formula of

aluminium oxynitride is AlON, which indicated the constituent elements. The ratio of the

atoms may vary depending on the specific method of manufacture but its normally 20-30%

aluminium, 35-45% oxygen, and 20-30% nitrogen (Willems, Val Hal & Metselaar, 1993).
The microstructure of transparent aluminium i.e. the arrangement of atoms can also influence

the material’s properties. This arrangement can be controlled by the manufacturing process.

The microstructure has an effect on the material’s strength, toughness and stiffness. The

materials composition and atomic structure plays a key role in determining transparent

aluminium’s properties and potential application, advantages and disadvantages (Willems,

Val Hal & Metselaar, 1993).

Figure 2: Structure and composition. Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxynitride

Manufacturing process

Transparent aluminium is an alloy of aluminium, which is very strong and light. The material

is manufactured by reacting aluminium, nitrogen and oxygen to form aluminium oynitride

powder. The powder is then compressed at the pressure of 172.82 kilograms per meter or

15000 pounds per inch in latex molds immersed in hydraulic fluid throughout the production

process. An opaque product is created then heated to 2000 ºC and left at the temperature for
48 hours. The aluminium Oxynitride cools and becomes translucent. The product is further

polished for more transparency and strength (Salifu & Olubambi, 2022).

Before grinding, the ceramic material is treated with high heat then further polishing is done

on it to make it transparent. This is done below 2100 ºC as keeping it above this temperature

leads to the loss of its transparency. The product is ground and polished to enhance its

resistance to impact making it 85% tougher than sapphire and 15% stronger than magnesium

aluminate spinel. Lee et al., from Yeungnam University in 2010 performed a study and

presented a manufacturing process that solved the issue of opaque aluminium oxynitride

produced using the conventional processes (Martin & Cales, 1989).

Figure 3: Manufacturing process. Source https://makezine.com/article/science/transparent-aluminum/

Mechanical properties

The transparent aluminium material is a new type of glass-like material that has the same

optical properties as conventional glass, but has better mechanical properties than glass. Its

mechanical properties are dependent on its composition which is mainly determined by the

alloying elements present in it (Ratzker et al., 2019).

Mechanical properties of transparent aluminium

Mechanical Property Values

Compressive strength 2.68 GPa

Flexural strength 0.38 - 0.7 GPa

Fracture toughness 2 MPa/m1/2

Knoop hardness 1800 kg/mm2

Poisson ratio 0.24

Shear modulus 135 GPa

Young modulus 334 GPa

Table 1: Mechanical properties

Compressive strength

The compressive strength of transparent aluminium is the maximum stress that can be

applied to it without deformation. It is the measure of the toughness of aluminium. The

compressive strength of transparent aluminium is 1.0 GPa, which is greater than that of

steel, still higher than that of aluminium which is 0.8 GPa. The compressive strength of

transparent aluminium can be measured for any thickness between 0.01 and 5mm

(Willems, Val Hal & Metselaar, 1993).

Flexural strength
The flexural strength of transparent aluminium is about 0.38 Mpa. This is about twice that

of normal aluminium. The reason for this is that the crystal structure in transparent

aluminium is different from that of normal aluminium. Alon’s flexural modulus is about

200 GPa which is comparable to that of glassy carbon used in light weighting (Willems,

Val Hal & Metselaar, 1993).

Fracture toughness

Transparent aluminium has high fracture toughness, which is its ability to resist

development of cracks when under loading or stress. This is a key property of building

materials as it determines the ability of a building material to withstand external loading

without damage. Transparent aluminium’s microstructure, or its arrangement of atoms and

the size and shape of grain of the material, is small and packed closely giving it the

mechanical property of high fracture toughness. In addition, transparent aluminium has

low defect density. The fracture toughness of transparent aluminium can be measured

using the three-point bend test where a sample is placed in a vice and stress is induced at

its center until it fractures. The amount of the load that causes fracture is then used to

calculate the material’s fracture toughness. Due to aluminium oxynitride’s high fracture

toughness, it can be used as a structural element in construction (Willems, Val Hal &

Metselaar, 1993).
Knoop hardness

Knoop hardness of transparent aluminium is determined by applying a load to a small,

pointed indenter and measuring the size of the resulting indentation. Transparent

aluminium requires a relatively high load to create an indentation therefore has high

Knoop hardness. This makes it resistant to indentation and scratching. This ensures the

longevity of the materials life and resistance to wear and tear (Ratzker et al., 2019).

Poisson ratio

The Poisson ratio or the lateral strain ratio is a measure of the relationship between the

lateral strain and axial strain in a material when subjected to compression or tensile stress.

With a poisson ratio of about 0.24 which is relatively low in comparison to other

engineering materials, transparent aluminium tends to experience relatively low lateral

strain compared to axial strain. This is due to its microstructure. Under loading,

transparent aluminium is resistant to shear force and is stiffer than building materials with

high Poisson ratio. This makes it a suitable option where the building component is load

bearing (Chen et al., 2014).

Shear modulus
The shear modulus or modulus of rigidity is a measure of a material to resist shear stress.

Transparent aluminium has a shear modulus of about 135 GPa, which is relatively high.

This means that it has a high resistance to shear stress (Willems, Val Hal & Metselaar,

1993).

Young modulus

The Young modulus or the modulus of elasticity is a measure of the stiffness of a material.

Young modulus determines how much the material deforms under a certain loading. With

a Young modulus of about 334 GPa, transparent aluminium is stiff and resistant to

deformation under external load (Willems, Val Hal & Metselaar, 1993).

Properties

Transparency

Aluminium Oxynitride being a transparent polycrystalline ceramic has 80% optical

transparency in the zones from near ultraviolet to visible and near infrared

wavelengths. As a construction material, it permits visibility and light penetration

with minimal scattering and absorption (Chen et al., 2014).

Strength and crack resistance

Aluminium oxynitride is a very strong and crack resistant material. It has high

strength at room temperature and can be used for structural components in buildings
since it has a high melting point and low density. In addition, its crack resistance can

be significantly improved by applying an additional hardening layer on top of the base

aluminium oxide layer, which reduces the amount of residual stress in the base

material (Salem, 2017).

Optical properties

Optical properties refer to how the material interacts with light. Transparent

aluminium has a high refractive index which is the amount that light bends as it

passes through it. Materials with high refractive index have higher capabilities of

focusing light which can be useful in certain applications. This include making of

windows and skylights, solar panels, optical fibres, lenses and prisms. Aluminium

oxynitride has a refractive index of about 1.8 which is relatively high as a transparent

material (Ratzker et al., 2019).

Figure 4: Optical properties. Source https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S135964621400061X

Electrical properties

Aluminium oxynitride is a semi-conductor and can be considered a hybrid of

aluminium nitride and silicon oxide (Chen et al., 2014).

Table 2: Arrhenius plot for all measurements with a stabilization timeof20min(A=L, 0 =M and O=R). Source
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248453246_AC-Conductivity_measurements_on_g-
aluminium_oxynitride

Thermal properties

Transparent aluminium is an exotic thermosetting material that has recently gained

attention as a potential alternative to traditional building materials, with its thermal

properties offering significant advantages over wood and other conventional materials

in construction. Transparent aluminium is fire resistant with a high melting point of

1200 degree celcius making it suitable in fire doors and windows as well as

compartmentalizing. Its low thermal coefficient makes it useful as an insulator in

high temperature applications such as in factories. Its thermal conductivity is useful in

industrial applications as well as commercial construction, but prefabricated insulated

panels can also be used for passive solar design and home heating applications (Quinn,

Corbin & MacCauley, 1984).

Table 3: Thermal properties. Source http://www.surmet.com/pdfs/ALON%20Data%20Sheet.pdf

Acoustic properties

Transparent aluminium has a high sound transmission loss i.e. it is able to reduce the

transmission of sound waves through it. It is able to absorb and deflect sound waves

reducing noise transmission. It can therefore be used on walls, windows and doors of

spaces that require noise reduction such as theatres, boardrooms and classrooms

(Lamanna et al., 2019).

Durability

Glass denudes as a result of non-ballistic phenomena. This includes sand erosion,

strikes and exposure to ultra violet rays over a long period of time. The clarity and

performance of glass can easily get interfered with by such conditions making glass

less durable. Transparent aluminium is however resistant to tear and wear caused by

the above conditions (Crouch, 2016).

Rock proof

Armored windows made of glass can be significantly damaged by rocks or debris.

Transparent aluminium of the same thickness is able to withstand impact up to four

times the impact that can shatter glass.

Scratch proof

Scratches made by wind carried dust, sand and other particles lead to the degradation

of the optical transmission of glass windows. A study by Akbari (2018) showed that

the optical transmission of glass degraded by 23% in a controlled sand erosion

experiment. The optical transmission of transparent aluminium however remained the

same.
Delamination resistance

The inter-laminar residual stress of transparent aluminium is low because of both

glass and polycarbonate’s compatible coefficient of thermal expansion. Moreover, it

has a much lower propensity for delamination than glass.

Tolerance of extreme conditions

In extreme environmental and weather conditions, aluminium oxynitride has

exceptionally high performance. It can withstand stresses of mechanical nature such

as vibrations, sudden pressure release and mechanical shock. Environmental

conditions such as solar radiation, humidity and temperature changes do not have

effects on transparent aluminium. This makes it weather resistant.

Performance comparison to glass and other substitutes

The strength of transparent aluminium is four times greater than fused silica glass and

has 15% more strength than magnesium aluminate spinel. In comparison to steel,

transparent aluminium has more strength, almost three times to that of steel at the

same thickness. Its resistance to corrosion, damage by oxygen and radiation is also

high. The melting point of aluminium Oxynitride is at 1200 ºC (Wahl et al., 2005).

Aluminium Oxynitride has less weight and has lower maintenance and much

improved security. It is also more durable than glass as it is tougher and stronger

therefore minimal breakage or cracking. Transparent aluminium provides better

thermal insulation than glass does. This means that it can keep buildings interiors

warm in cold weather while still maintaining good visibility during the daytime (Wahl

et al., 2005).
The optical performance of glass and transparent aluminium is almost identical. Both

materials have almost identical transmittance spectra at every angle of incidence. The

only difference is that at higher angles of incidence, glass has greater absorption than

transparent aluminium. This may be due to the fact that transparent aluminium has a

very high refractive index compared to glass. However, the effect is small enough not

to affect the overall performance of the two materials in terms of transmission or

reflectance spectra (Patel et al., 2000).

Applications of transparent aluminium

The application of transparent aluminium in architecture and construction is extensive

due to its transparency, light weight and its mechanical properties. Its ability to

withstand high temperatures without any damage or distortion makes it the ideal

material choice for the construction of energy efficient-buildings. Transparent

aluminium is used in a variety of applications, including windows frames, partitions,

ceilings and facades. It is also used in the production of a wider wange of building

products such as windows, doors, balconies and overhangs (Wahl et al., 2005)

Armored windows

Transparent aluminium is a new type of armor which is used in the bullet proof

windows and doors. Aluminium Oxynitride is a very strong material and lightweight

making it suitable for armored windows and doors. It can withstand great amounts of

force without breaking or cracking. Bullet proof windows and doors are made up of

three layers; a glass layer, an inner layer, and an outer layer. With its toughness,

transparent aluminium does not show scratches easily. Armored windows made of
transparent aluminium are resistant to corrosion, stress, impact and heat making them

more durable (Patel et al., 2005).

Figure 5: ALON Plates, both flat and curved, that have been produced for Transparent Armored windows. Source
http://surmet.com/pdfs/news-and-media/SURMET-WHITE-PAPER-Recent-Advances-in-ALON%28TM%29-Optical-
Ceramic.pdf

Infrared windows

Infrared windows are windows that are used to heat and cool buildings, or transmit

and receive infrared rays, which is a part of the solar energy. The infrared windows

can be used in both domestic and commercial purposes. Transparent aluminium is an

excellent material for making infrared windows because of its high thermal

conductivity and light transmission characteristics.

When you look at the window, it does not reflect the light or heat inside the room. In

addition to that it also helps keep the room cool and comfortable. This also helps save

energy since there is no need for any heating or cooling system (Salifu & Olubambi,

2022).
Figure 6: Infrared transmitance on transparent aluminium window. Source https://www.quora.com/What-
percentage-of-infrared-rays-does-aluminium-reflect

Optical lenses

Optical lenses are one of the many applications of transparent aluminium. With an

excellent combination of optical properties, transparency and high strength,

transparent aluminium allows light to transmit through it with minimal absorption

making it suitable for use in lenses that are designed to transmit light with minimal

distortion. This is possible due to the material’s high refractive index (Salifu &

Olubambi, 2022).

Figure 7: Optical quality of transparent aluminium. Source https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/12/9/1491.

Progress in Transparent Nano-Ceramics and Their Potential Applications
Bulletproof glass

Bullet proof glass is a type of laminated glass that is used to protect the inside of a

building from outside attack. It is used to improve the security and safety of buildings

including modern skyscrapers, government buildings, schools and commercial

buildings. Aluminium oxynitride is layered to make it more resistant (Goldman et al.,

2011).

Figure 8: Bullet proof glass

IR domes

The use of transparent aluminium in the construction of infra-red domes allows the

use of more efficient heat transfer and reduces the heat loss through the dome,

compared to other materials. These advantages can be used for different purposes,

such as energy saving, thermal insulation, and high efficiency cooling. It is also used

because of its lightweight, durable and easy to work with.

The transparent aluminium dome can meet the requirements of high thermal

insulation performance, low wind resistance and fast cooling ability. It is mainly used

for outdoor illumination of buildings such as public squares and subway stations;

underground parking garages, exhibition halls, shopping complexes, offices, hotels,

hospitals and other large buildings (Goldman et al., 2011).

Figure 9: ALON optical ceramic. Source http://surmet.com/pdfs/news-and-media/SURMET-WHITE-PAPER-Recent-
Advances-in-ALON(TM)-Optical-Ceramic.pdf

Insulators

Transparent aluminium has a high dielectric strength which means that it can resist

electric current without breaking down. It can be used in electrical insulators such as

bus bars and insulating sleeves (Marchant, 2013).

Merits and demerits of transparent aluminium

Merits

Transparency

Transparent aluminium is an alloy of aluminium that is see through. It is a stronger

alternative to brittle glass. The transparency and lightness of transparent aluminium

building material make it suitable for use in houses, apartments, villas and other

buildings. It can be used on buildings facades as curtain walls, windows, doors. Its

transparency allows light to penetrate it making use of daylight reducing lighting costs

in a building. This property also makes the material good for aesthetic purposes

(Salifu & Olubambi, 2022).

Corrosion resistance
Transparent aluminium’s resistance to corrosion makes it ideal for use in architectural

civil engineering projects.

Has a variety of applications

Transparent aluminium has a variety of architectural applications as it can be used as

an alternative of glass. These includes making of infrared windows and

armored/bulletproof windows. Aluminium Oxynitride can also be used for curtain

walling and armored access doors due to its toughness. It can also be used in interior

partitioning. Transparent aluminium can also be used as a protective barrier for

outdoor structures, such as awnings or canopies. It could also be used in the

construction of skylights or atriums, providing natural light while also offering

structural support (Marchant, 2013).

Low weight, high strength and relatively high rigidity compared to other materials.

Aluminium oxynitride is a kind of lightweight and high strength building material

which has been gaining popularity since the early 20th century. Transparent

aluminium alloys have been used as structural materials to build everything from

skyscrapers to airplanes. Due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, it also has a good

impact resistance and corrosion resistance.

Transparent aluminium alloy is a special type of aluminium alloy that has very low

density compared to other types of aluminium alloys. The products of transparent

aluminium are mainly used in the construction of windows, doors and facades. The

transparent aluminium is a long term investment that is lightweight which can help

reduce the overall weight of the structure. This also helps in faster construction and

reducing construction and labour cost (Salifu & Olubambi, 2022).

Good acoustic insulation and noise reduction effect

Acoustic insulation is the first step to minimize noise. Transparent aluminium panels

are excellent reflectors of sound waves and noise reduction properties. These

properties are very important in various industries from transportation to audio and

visual facilities. Its use in windows, doors and curtain walls help insulate interiors or

exteriors from noise that may be generated from the adjoining spaces (Lamanna et al.,

2019).

Flexibility

Transparent aluminium has the potential to revolutionize the building industry as a

flexible building material. It has the ability to be easily formed into various shapes

and sizes. It can be cut, drilled, and machined using traditional metal working

techniques, making it relatively easy to work with. This flexibility allows for the

creation of unique and complex building designs that may not be possible with other

materials (Lamanna et al., 2019)

Corrosion resistant

Corrosion resistance is an important consideration when selecting building materials,

as it can significantly impact the longevity and maintenance requirements of a

structure. Transparent aluminium oxynitride, is a ceramic material that exhibits

excellent corrosion resistance, making it a potential valuable building material.

One of the primary reasons for transparent aluminum’s corrosion resistance is its

chemical composition. It is made up of aluminium, oxygen, and nitrogen and does not

contain any other elements that are prone to corrosion. This means that it is not
susceptible to rust or other forms of corrosion that are common in metals such as iron

or steel. Transparent aluminium’s dense and hard surface also makes it difficult for

corrosive agents to penetrate and cause damage. It is also resistant to water and

moisture, making it suitable for use in outdoor applications where it may be exposed

to the elements (Bell, 2021).

Conductivity of heat and electricity

One of the primary benefits of transparent aluminium’s conductivity is the ability to

act as a thermal insulator. It has a low thermal conductivity, meaning that it is able to

resist the transfer of heat from one side to the other. This makes it an excellent

material for use in window glazing, where it can help to reduce heat loss in the winter

and heat gain in the summer. This can significantly improve the energy efficiency of a

building, reducing heat and cooling costs.

In addition to its thermal insulation properties, transparent aluminium is also a good

conductor of electricity. It is therefore suitable in electrical applications including

wiring and electrical components. Its transparency can also aid in visibility and

protection of electrical components (Bell, 2021).

Relatively easy to work with

Aluminium oxynitride is relatively easy to work with making it an attractive

alternative in design and construction. It resistant to wear and tear. This makes

construction workers need not be extra careful in handling the material during

transportation and on site. Its ability to withstand high temperatures up to 1200 degree

Celsius makes it a good option to use in spaces where there are frequent temperature

changes such as factories, building exterior or furnaces. Being lightweight makes it

easier to carry and install during construction, requiring less handling equipment. It is

also a versatile material hence easy to cut drill and shape making it a flexible building

material (Maloney, 2018).

Demerits

Despite being a material with a range of benefits, transparent aluminium has

disadvantages that may limit its usage in the construction industry. The demerits of

transparent aluminium include:

High cost

Transparent aluminium is a relatively expensive material as a result of its

manufacturing process. Its production process requires special plant and equipment

and is also energy intensive. It is also produced in small quantities creating a short

supply in high demand. This contributes to its high cost. Its high cost leads to

limitations in use where it is most required, i.e. defense, safety and security. It is used

in military and aerospace applications as it is bulletproof and tough. It is also used in

high end architectural projects where its optical transparency and aesthetics are key

and outweighs the cost. However, the material may not be cost effective in regular

construction projects where construction cost needs to be reduced.

Glare

Transparent aluminium being transparent allows maximum sunlight and solar

radiation entry into an interior space. This may cause discomfort to the occupants of

the building and also increase insulation and window treatment costs. Transparent
aluminium may also cause glare when used on windows which could potentially be

harmful if you are looking directly at them from inside the building (Merit Nation,

2014).

Acid damage

Transparent aluminium is susceptible to acid damage. When exposed to acidic

substances such as industrial chemicals, aluminium oxynitride can undergo

degradation resulting to loss in strength through corrosion. The edges of the materials

can also etch when in contact with acidic substances making it prone to cracks (Merit

Nation, 2014)

Negative environmental impacts

The production of transparent aluminium generates significant amounts of waste and

uses large amounts of energy. The process also causes the release of harmful

chemicals into the environment polluting air, water and soil quality (Merit Nation,

2014).

Substitutes of Transparent Aluminium

Transparent aluminium is one of the building materials gaining popularity due to its

various benefits. However, it comes with some draw backs such as high cost which

may render it unpractical in everyday construction projects. There are various

materials that can potentially be better alternatives to transparent aluminium in certain

circumstances.

Glass
Glass is a widely available building material. It is relatively cheap and can be treated

with various coatings to improve its energy efficiency, durability and Ultraviolet

resistance making it an adaptable material.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a plastic material known for its relative strength and optical

transparency. Polycarbonate is available widely and is also inexpensive as compared

to transparent aluminium. It is used in glazing and is resistant to UV radiation,

lightweight and easy to work with (Kua & Lu, 2016).

Acrylic

Acrylic is also a plastic material with good optical transparency and clarity. It is also

resistant to UV radiation. Acrylic can be molded into desired shapes and forms and is

relatively lightweight. It is also inexpensive relative to aluminium oxynitride.

Impact of transparent aluminium in construction and architecture

Transparent aluminium or aluminium oxynitride is a material with great potential and

is still being studies and advanced. It has been proposed for use in various

architectural and construction applications.

A potential impact of transparent aluminium is the ability to replace traditional

building materials such as glass and aluminium in certain uses. Being strong and

tough, transparent aluminium is suitable for use in high stress environments or where

weight is of concern such as in skyscrapers. This material could allow for the design

and construction of lightweight structures and structurally efficient buildings. This

could potentially see the reduction in the cost of construction (Salifu & Olubambi,

2022).

Transparent aluminium will be able to provide strong and durable glazing. Traditional

glass is susceptible to cracking and shattering under stress which is a significant

problem in high traffic areas or high stress areas. Transparent aluminium is harder and

denser making it more resistant to stress. Transparent aluminium may provide a better

alternative to glass due to these properties as it can provide the same services as glass

with much better qualities such as higher strength and transparency.

Aluminium oxynitride has various applications in construction and architecture and

can also be used on various building elements i.e. a single material that can be used on

walls, roofs, windows, electrical components and even structural elements. This has

the potential to reduce the need of numerous building materials which may require

different personnel to work with, plant and equipment, construction technology,

transport, maintenance etc. This may save on time, equipment and labour cost (Salifu

& Olubambi, 2022).

The use of aluminium oxynitride could also reduce the need for various structural

elements and materials such as reinforced concrete or insulation. This may simplify

and quicken the construction process and reduce cost.

Another way that transparent aluminium could change the way buildings are designed

and constructed is by enabling the erection of structures that are much lighter and

more flexible than those made of conventional materials. This is advantageous as it

makes it possible to design and construct buildings that can withstand adverse weather

conditions and natural calamities such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

Another potential use of aluminium oxynitride is the creation of solar panels. Its

excellent transparency allows for the creation of solar panels that are efficient at

capturing sunlight. This could have a major impact on the way that renewable energy

is generated.

In conclusion, transparent aluminium is a revolutionary material with the potential to

change or improve the design and construction of buildings and other forms of

structures in future. Its unique properties such as transparency, toughness, and

strength, lightweight makes it a suitable building material. Additionally its flexibility

and potential for a range of application such as facades, windows, electrical works

and application in solar panels simplifies construction. It is important to note that the

material has various demerits such as high costs, susceptibility to acid and negative

environmental impacts. In spite of the disadvantages, transparent aluminium has the

potential to revolutionize architecture and the construction industry making it worthy

of further exploration and study as a construction material of the future.

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