Abstract: Methods of preparing boron suboxide are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for preparing boron suboxide may include loading elemental boron powder into a furnace; purging the furnace by flowing a first gas comprising one of nitrogen or an inert gas into the furnace; heating the boron powder in a reactive atmosphere comprising a mixture of argon and a non-reducing oxygen-containing gas to convert elemental boron powder into boron suboxide powder, wherein the amount of oxygen in the reactive atmosphere is no greater than about 1%.

Abstract: A transparent armor construction having a laminate structure with at least two layers. The layers are constructed of two different materials selected from the group of glass, ceramic, resin, polymeric material, and plastic and in which the at least two layers include different coefficients of thermal expansion. The layers are bonded together and a planar frame having an open central section and an outer border is then bonded to the laminate structure. The material for the planar frame is selected so that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the laminate layer to which it is bonded.

Abstract: A transparent armor construction having a laminate structure with at least two layers. The layers are constructed of two different materials selected from the group of glass, ceramic, resin, polymeric material, and plastic and in which the at least two layers include different coefficients of thermal expansion. The layers are bonded together and a planar frame having an open central section and an outer border is then bonded to the laminate structure. The material for the planar frame is selected so that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the laminate layer to which it is bonded.

Abstract: Methods of preparing boron suboxide are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for preparing boron suboxide may include loading elemental boron powder into a furnace; purging the furnace by flowing a first gas comprising one of nitrogen or an inert gas into the furnace; heating the boron powder in a reactive atmosphere comprising a mixture of argon and a non-reducing oxygen-containing gas to convert elemental boron powder into boron suboxide powder, wherein the amount of oxygen in the reactive atmosphere is no greater than about 1%.

Abstract: A dense polycrystalline aluminum oxynitride body is produced. According the method of production, aluminum oxide (alumina) powder and 26 to 40 mole % aluminum nitride powder is mixed to form a very fine powder mixture. The powder mixture is shaped and hot pressed at a moderate temperature, preferably about 1600° C., which is below the temperature of aluminum oxynitride (AlON) formation to produce a dense intermediate body. The dense intermediate body is reacted to produce a highly dense polycrystalline aluminum oxynitride body. The dense body is particularly useful for ballistic armor.