Oxide ceramics such as MgO or Al2O3, which have relatively high melting points, and are composed of low Z elements may be used as limiters, insulators and as windows, lenses and mirrors for directing optical beams.
n the latter case it is necessary to investigate the radiation damage of the optical properties of these ceramics through exposure to neutrons. Optical properties of high - purity crystals of MgO and Al2O3 irradiated by 14 MeV neutrons have previously been reported by Chen et al, Evans and Stepelbroek respectively, refs [1-2]. The absorption spectra of these irradiated crystals resembled those irradiated in fission reactors. However, in these materials the production rates of anion vacancy centers (F+, F and F2 centers) by irradiation with 14 MeV neutrons were about twice those irradiated with fission neutrons.
GENERAL PROPERTIES - MAGNESIUM OXIDE
Physical properties
Melting Point : 2000 +/- 30 C
Density at RT : 3.9 g/cm3
Apparent Porosity : 0 %
Water Absorption-Saturation : 0 %
Electrical properties
Dielectric Constant : 9.0 - 10.1
Dielectric Strength : 10 - 35 kV/mm
Volume Resistivity @ 20 C : > 1014 [[Omega]] cm
Thermal properties
Thermal Conductivity @ 20 C : 28 - 35 W/m-K
Thermal Expansivity, 20 - 1000 C : 8.0 x10-6m/m-K
Upper Continuous Use Temperature : 1800 C
Mechanical properties
Compressive Strength : 2200 - 2600 MPa
Shear Strength : 330 MPa
Hardness-Vickers : 1500 - 1650 kgf/mm2
Tensile Modulus : 330 - 400 GPa