A major development effort is underway to optimize pressureless sintering methods for complex shaped spinel components. Pressureless sintering offers the potential for lower cost, large economies of scale production for both military and commercial products. A variety of different forming methods are being explored for both hemispherical and ogive shaped components which can also lead to lower cost processing methods depending on the size and shape of the component. Potential near applications include the Joint Common Missile and Small Diameter Bomb domes.

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