Researchers at the University of New Mexico have discovered a low density, anomalously low surface area, sol-gel derived alumina-silicate composition. The development suggests application of this material as a hermetic coating in a range of applications that cannot tolerate the high temperatures required to densify conventional films. The transport (i.e., hermetic) properties must be quantified for specific engineering applications. The result will be an understanding of the process-microstructure-transport properties of this material. An existing vacuum system will be modified for permeation studies. Aluminasilicate films of various thicknesses will be cast by various techniques, thermally treated, and diffusion properties measured. Microstructural characteristics of the coating will be correlated with diffusion properties. Iterative studies of diffusion properties as a function of sol-gel processing conditions will be conducted.
