{
  "spore": "profile",
  "id": "shapal",
  "spore_version": "0.2",
  "family": "carbide-nitride-boride-ceramics",
  "name": "Shapal",
  "abbreviation": "AlN-BN",
  "role": "machinable insulating ceramic that conducts heat",
  "category": "ceramics",
  "type": "nitrides",
  "summary": "Shapal is Tokuyama's machinable ceramic, sold as SHAPAL Hi-M soft and also as Shapal-M soft, a composite sintered body of aluminium nitride and boron nitride (about 71 to 74 % AlN and 26 % BN). It can be drilled, ground, turned and milled with conventional tools. The Tokuyama sheet gives a density of 2.88 g/cm3, a thermal conductivity of 92 W/mK at 25 °C, a bending strength of 300 MPa at 25 °C and a maximum use temperature of 1000 °C in air. A 2016 arXiv paper describes a small-satellite focal plane structure designed in this material; it is a design study, not a flown part.\n",
  "best_for": "Machined ceramic parts that must conduct heat, insulate electrically and stay dimensionally stable: heat sinks, insulating plates and vacuum fixtures",
  "weakest_at": "Brittleness and spread between sheets: thermal conductivity is printed as 90 to 100 W/mK at room temperature and density as 2.88 to 2.95 g/cm3, and the sources give no Weibull modulus",
  "identity": {
    "formula": "Composite sintered body of aluminium nitride (AlN) and boron nitride (BN), about 71 to 74 % AlN and 26 % BN (Tokuyama composition, as quoted by the AsteroidFinder paper)",
    "cas": "24304-00-5",
    "designations": [
      {
        "system": "Trade name",
        "code": "SHAPAL",
        "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
        "where": "Brand name in the sheet title and body text"
      },
      {
        "system": "Trade name",
        "code": "Hi-M soft",
        "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
        "where": "Grade name in the sheet title (SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT) and body text"
      },
      {
        "system": "Trade name",
        "code": "Shapal M soft",
        "source": "goodfellow-eu",
        "where": "Synonyms list on the sheet page"
      },
      {
        "system": "Trade name",
        "code": "Shapal Hi M Soft",
        "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
        "where": "Page heading for the Shapal material"
      },
      {
        "system": "CAS",
        "code": "24304-00-5",
        "note": "Goodfellow prints the aluminium nitride CAS for this grade",
        "source": "goodfellow-eu",
        "where": "CAS Number field of the sheet page"
      }
    ],
    "source": "goodfellow-eu",
    "where": "Shapal M soft sheet page, CAS Number field and Composition field (AlN/BN). The CAS is the one Goodfellow prints for this grade; it is the aluminium nitride CAS."
  },
  "tags": {
    "environments": [
      "low-earth-orbit"
    ],
    "stresses": [
      "vacuum-and-outgassing",
      "thermal-cycling"
    ],
    "applications": [
      "structures",
      "optics-and-cameras",
      "thermal-control",
      "electronics-and-chips"
    ]
  },
  "properties": [
    {
      "benchmark": "density",
      "label": "Density, SHAPAL Hi-M soft (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 2.88,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "g/cm3",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "corrected to 4 °C (as printed)",
        "porosity": "0 % at 25 °C"
      },
      "method": "Typical value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet, which says the values are for guidance only",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, GENERAL section, row Density Corrected to 4°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "density",
      "label": "Density, Shapal-M soft (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 2.95,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "g/cc",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "unit_in_source": "g/cc"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Tokuyama sheet prints 2.88 g/cm3 for the Hi-M soft grade. The sources do not say whether the difference is grade, datasheet version or rounding.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Physical Properties table, row Density",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
      "label": "Dielectric constant at 1 MHz (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 6.8,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "25 °C",
        "frequency": "1 MHz"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, ELECTRICAL section, row Dielectric Constant (ε) 25°C, 1MHz",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
      "label": "Dielectric constant at 1 MHz (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 7.1,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "frequency": "1.00e+6 Hz"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Goodfellow EU sheet prints 7.3 for the same grade; the Tokuyama sheet prints 6.8.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Electrical Properties table, row Dielectric Constant",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_strength",
      "label": "Dielectric strength (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 65,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "kV/mm",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "not stated in the sheet row"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, ELECTRICAL section, row Dielectric Strength",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dielectric_strength",
      "label": "Dielectric strength (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 40,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "kV/mm",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "temperature": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Electrical Properties table, row Dielectric Strength, first value",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "dissipation_factor",
      "label": "Dissipation factor at 1 MHz (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 0.001,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "frequency": "1.00e+6 Hz"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Electrical Properties table, row Dissipation Factor",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "cte",
      "label": "Coefficient of thermal expansion, room temperature to 400 °C (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 4.8,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "x10-6/°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "room temperature to 400 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "4.8 x 10-6 /°C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Thermal Expansion Coefficient RT~400°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "cte",
      "label": "Coefficient of thermal expansion, room temperature to 800 °C (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 5,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "x10-6/°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "room temperature to 800 °C",
        "unit_in_source": "5.0 x 10-6 /°C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Thermal Expansion Coefficient RT~800°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "cte",
      "label": "Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 400 °C (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 4.4,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "µm/m-°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "temperature": "20 to 400 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Goodfellow sheet prints 4.40 for 20 to 400 °C, against 4.8 for room temperature to 400 °C in the Tokuyama sheet. The two bases differ, so the values are not interchangeable.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, row CTE linear, first value",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at 25 °C (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 92,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/mK",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Thermal Conductivity 25°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at 25 °C (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 90,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/m-K",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "temperature": "25.0 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Goodfellow EU sheet prints 100 W/m K at 20 °C for the same grade name. Across the Tokuyama, Goodfellow and Precision Ceramics sheets, room-temperature conductivity runs from 90 to 100 W/mK.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Thermal Properties table, row Thermal Conductivity, value at 25.0 °C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at 500 °C (Precision Ceramics table)",
      "value": 55,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/mK",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal Hi M Soft",
        "temperature": "500 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the table of a Tokuyama-authorised distributor",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
      "where": "Thermal section, row Thermal Conductivity @ 500°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Precision Ceramics, Shapal Hi M Soft material page (Tokuyama-authorised distributor)",
        "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
      "label": "Thermal conductivity at 1000 °C (Precision Ceramics table)",
      "value": 35,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "W/mK",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal Hi M Soft",
        "temperature": "1000 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the table of a Tokuyama-authorised distributor",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
      "where": "Thermal section, row Thermal Conductivity @ 1000°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Precision Ceramics, Shapal Hi M Soft material page (Tokuyama-authorised distributor)",
        "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "max_service_temp",
      "label": "Maximum use temperature in air (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 1000,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "atmosphere": "air"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Maximum Use Temp. (in air)",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "max_service_temp",
      "label": "Maximum use temperature in non-oxidising atmosphere (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 1900,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "atmosphere": "non-oxidising"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Maximum Use Temp (in non-oxidizing atmosphere)",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "thermal_shock_resistance",
      "label": "Thermal shock resistance, water quench (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 400,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "°C",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "test": "water quench, delta t"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Thermal Shock Resistance delta t water quench",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "flexural_strength",
      "label": "Bending strength at 25 °C (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 300,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, MECHANICAL section, row Bending Strength 25°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "flexural_strength",
      "label": "Flexural strength, Shapal-M soft (Goodfellow sheet, no temperature printed)",
      "value": 294,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "temperature": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Tokuyama sheet gives 300 MPa at 25 °C in its table, and its marketing text states a flexural strength of 30 kg/mm2, which is about 294 MPa.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table, row Flexural Strength",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "flexural_strength",
      "label": "Flexural strength at 1000 °C (Precision Ceramics table)",
      "value": 350,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal Hi M Soft",
        "temperature": "1000 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the table of a Tokuyama-authorised distributor",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
      "where": "Mechanical section, row Flexural Strength @ 1000°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Precision Ceramics, Shapal Hi M Soft material page (Tokuyama-authorised distributor)",
        "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "elastic_modulus",
      "label": "Young's modulus (Precision Ceramics table)",
      "value": 176,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "GPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal Hi M Soft",
        "temperature": "not stated in the table"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the table of a Tokuyama-authorised distributor",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
      "where": "Mechanical section, row Young's Modulus",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Precision Ceramics, Shapal Hi M Soft material page (Tokuyama-authorised distributor)",
        "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "elastic_modulus",
      "label": "Tensile modulus (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 186,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "GPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "temperature": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Goodfellow EU sheet prints a tensile modulus of 160 GPa for the same grade name.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table, row Tensile Modulus",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "poissons_ratio",
      "label": "Poisson's ratio at 25 °C (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 0.31,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "-",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, MECHANICAL section, row Poisson's Ratio 25°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "compressive_strength",
      "label": "Compressive strength (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 1180,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "MPa",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "temperature": "not stated"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "note": "The Goodfellow EU sheet prints 1000 MPa for compressive strength, on a Pultrusions tab. The Tokuyama sheet prints 100 kg/mm2 at 25 °C.",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table, row Compressive Strength",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "hardness_vickers",
      "label": "Vickers hardness, 300 g load (Tokuyama sheet)",
      "value": 380,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "kg/mm2",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "temperature": "25 °C",
        "load": "300 g"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, MECHANICAL section, row Vickers Hardness (Hv) 25°C, 300g",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "hardness_vickers",
      "label": "Vickers microhardness, 0.3 kg load (Goodfellow sheet)",
      "value": 390,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "kg/mm2",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal-M soft",
        "load": "0.300 kg"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in a Goodfellow sheet mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
      "where": "Mechanical Properties table, row Vickers Microhardness",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
        "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "fracture_toughness",
      "label": "Fracture toughness KIC (Precision Ceramics table)",
      "value": 2,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "MPa m1/2",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "Shapal Hi M Soft",
        "temperature": "not stated in the table"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the table of a Tokuyama-authorised distributor",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
      "where": "Mechanical section, row Fracture Toughness KIC",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "Precision Ceramics, Shapal Hi M Soft material page (Tokuyama-authorised distributor)",
        "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "acid_weight_loss",
      "label": "Weight loss in 10 % hydrochloric acid, 24 h at 25 °C",
      "value": 0.2,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "mg/cm2",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "reagent": "10 % HCl",
        "time": "24 h",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, CHEMICAL DURABILITY section, row Resistance to Acid 10%HCl 24Hrs, 25°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    },
    {
      "benchmark": "alkali_weight_loss",
      "label": "Weight loss in 10 % sodium hydroxide, 24 h at 25 °C",
      "value": 60,
      "bound": "exact",
      "unit": "mg/cm2",
      "scope": "material",
      "conditions": {
        "grade": "SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "reagent": "10 % NaOH",
        "time": "24 h",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "method": "Value printed in the manufacturer properties sheet",
      "status": "ground",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, CHEMICAL DURABILITY section, row Resistance to Base 10%NaOH 24Hrs, 25°C",
      "source_detail": {
        "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
        "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
        "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
        "kind": "datasheet",
        "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
      }
    }
  ],
  "corrosion": [
    {
      "environment": "Dilute hydrochloric acid",
      "headline": "Shapal loses 0.2 mg/cm2 in 10 % HCl over 24 hours at 25 °C.",
      "effect": "The Tokuyama sheet prints 0.2 mg/cm2 weight loss in 10 % HCl. The Goodfellow EU sheet rates dilute acids as Fair.",
      "rating": "low",
      "conditions": {
        "reagent": "10 % HCl",
        "time": "24 h",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, CHEMICAL DURABILITY section, row Resistance to Acid"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Sodium hydroxide solution",
      "headline": "Shapal is attacked by strong alkali: 60 mg/cm2 weight loss in 10 % NaOH over 24 hours.",
      "effect": "The Tokuyama sheet prints 60 mg/cm2 weight loss in 10 % NaOH. The Goodfellow EU sheet rates alkalis as Poor. The paper that describes the satellite structure does not test alkali.",
      "rating": "moderate",
      "conditions": {
        "reagent": "10 % NaOH",
        "time": "24 h",
        "temperature": "25 °C"
      },
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, CHEMICAL DURABILITY section, row Resistance to Base"
    },
    {
      "environment": "Air at high temperature",
      "headline": "Maximum use temperature in air is 1000 °C, and 1900 °C in a non-oxidising atmosphere.",
      "effect": "The Tokuyama sheet gives these as maximum use temperatures. It does not print an oxidation rate or a mass change over time.",
      "rating": "low",
      "conditions": {
        "atmosphere": "air, and non-oxidising",
        "load": "not stated in the sheet"
      },
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, rows Maximum Use Temp. (in air) and (in non-oxidizing atmosphere)"
    }
  ],
  "risks": {
    "hazards": [
      {
        "text": "ESPI Metals safety data sheet for plain aluminium nitride (CAS 24304-00-5): signal word Warning, H315 causes skin irritation, H319 causes serious eye irritation, H335 may cause respiratory irritation. P261 says avoid breathing dust. OSHA and ACGIH list no exposure limit. This is the plain AlN sheet; no sheet for the Shapal composite was found, so these codes are not confirmed for this grade.",
        "ghs": [
          "H315",
          "H319",
          "H335"
        ],
        "source": "espi-aln-sds",
        "where": "Hazard identification section, GHS classification and H-statements; exposure limits section"
      }
    ],
    "failure_risks": [
      {
        "mode": "Brittle fracture under a point load",
        "trigger": "A ceramic part held at a point contact or with a stress concentration",
        "consequence": "The AsteroidFinder paper says the limiting factor of a ceramic part in point contact is its flexural strength, and that the Weibull modulus and fracture toughness of AlN and this grade are unknown. It recommends a factor of safety of 2.5 for ceramic parts tested and 5.0 for parts verified only by analysis (ECSS).",
        "severity": "moderate",
        "source": "arxiv-asteroidfinder",
        "where": "Section 5.1, Engineering specifics of ceramics, and the paragraph on ECSS factor of safety"
      },
      {
        "mode": "Cracking on sudden quenching",
        "trigger": "A rapid temperature drop, such as a water quench",
        "consequence": "The sheet lists a thermal shock resistance of 400 °C for a water quench. It gives no data for larger drops or for repeated cycles.",
        "severity": "low",
        "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
        "where": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT - PROPERTIES table, THERMAL section, row Thermal Shock Resistance"
      },
      {
        "mode": "Anisotropy from hot pressing",
        "trigger": "Part orientation relative to the pressing direction",
        "consequence": "The paper says the material is hot-pressed and probably textured by its BN content, so properties may depend on direction. It says the effect is probably less severe than in solid BN, but gives no measurements.",
        "severity": "moderate",
        "source": "arxiv-asteroidfinder",
        "where": "Section 4.1 and the paragraph on anisotropic properties of SHAPAL"
      }
    ],
    "side_effects": [],
    "handling": [
      {
        "text": "Machining: the sheet says drilling, grinding, turning and milling are possible with a wide range of techniques. Goodfellow says carbide tools work.",
        "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
        "where": "Characteristics section, Excellent machinability"
      },
      {
        "text": "Pick the grade: density (2.88 and 2.95 g/cm3), thermal conductivity (92, 90 and 100 W/mK at room temperature) and modulus (176 GPa Young's, 186 GPa tensile) differ between the sheets quoted here.",
        "source": "goodfellow-lookpolymers",
        "where": "Physical Properties and Thermal Properties tables"
      },
      {
        "text": "Vacuum use: the sheet says the material is suitable for vacuum applications, and the paper cites an ESA database for zero porosity and zero outgassing.",
        "source": "arxiv-asteroidfinder",
        "where": "Section 4.1, paragraph citing ESMAT database"
      }
    ],
    "mitigations": []
  },
  "uses": [
    {
      "application": "optics-and-cameras",
      "device": "Focal plane assembly structure of the AsteroidFinder/SSB small satellite (DLR)",
      "example": "The paper selected this material for the main focal plane structure because its CTE is almost matched to sintered AlN and to HB-Cesic, and it is vacuum compatible. It states the planned launch is to a Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at 650 to 850 km, probably as a secondary payload. The paper is a design study.",
      "source": "arxiv-asteroidfinder",
      "where": "Abstract, Section 4.1 (Machinable ceramics), and the mission description in the introduction"
    },
    {
      "application": "thermal-control",
      "device": "Heat sinks",
      "example": "Tokuyama lists heat sinks among typical applications. Goodfellow describes a sheet for heat spreading and insulation in compact assemblies.",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "Typical Applications box on the first page"
    },
    {
      "application": "electronics-and-chips",
      "device": "Electrical components, insulating plates and vacuum crucibles",
      "example": "Tokuyama lists electrical components, vacuum components, jigs and fixtures, and crucibles for vacuum applications among typical applications. The sheet gives a dielectric strength of 65 kV/mm.",
      "source": "tokuyama-hi-m-soft",
      "where": "Typical Applications box on the first page and the ELECTRICAL section of the properties table"
    }
  ],
  "supply": [
    {
      "subject": "Shapal machinable AlN-BN ceramic (maker Tokuyama Corporation, Tokyo, Japan)",
      "abundance": "Precision Ceramics (an authorized distributor of Shapal Hi M Soft) says Tokuyama developed the machinable ceramic and that it is a hot-pressed material sold as slabs and billets; the largest billet is about 305 x 305 x 84 mm, and availability was extended to 300 x 300 x 64 mm. Precision Ceramics supplies blocks, bars, rods, plates or custom machined parts. Goodfellow Cambridge sells it as Shapal M soft in sheet, rod and disk forms with no minimum order. The Tokuyama product page says inquiries go through its Thermal Management Materials Sales Dept. contact form, and it prints no distributor list or production site.",
      "producers": [],
      "critical_lists": [],
      "substitutes": [],
      "source": "precision-ceramics-shapal",
      "where": "Page text on Tokuyama as developer, hot-pressed slabs and billets, billet sizes and the supply forms; the Goodfellow and Tokuyama sales details are on goodfellow-eu and tokuyama-aln-page"
    },
    {
      "subject": "Aluminium nitride powder (the main raw material; about 71 to 74 % of the body)",
      "abundance": "The Tokuyama page says the SHAPAL line is made by sintering aluminum nitride powder, and Wikipedia lists SHAPAL products (aluminum nitride powder, granules) among Tokuyama's specialty products. Wikipedia says AlN powders are made by carbothermal reduction-nitridation of alumina (Al2O3 + 3C + N2 gives 2AlN + 3CO) or by direct nitridation of aluminium, and that dense technical-grade AlN needs sintering aids such as Y2O3 or CaO plus hot pressing. The pages read give no tonnage or country shares for AlN powder.",
      "producers": [],
      "critical_lists": [],
      "recycling": "No recycling of Shapal or AlN-BN offcuts is described on any page read.",
      "substitutes": [],
      "source": "wikipedia-tokuyama",
      "where": "Specialty products list (SHAPAL products, aluminum nitride powder and granules); the production routes are from the Wikipedia aluminium nitride article, wikipedia-aln, and the sintering statement is from tokuyama-aln-page"
    }
  ],
  "media": [],
  "documents": [
    {
      "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark)",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf"
    },
    {
      "title": "SHAPAL Hi M-soft page on the Tokuyama AlN ceramics site",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/advanced_materials/aln_ceramics.html"
    },
    {
      "title": "Precision Ceramics: Shapal Hi M Soft material page",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Goodfellow Shapal M soft sheet (EU page)",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/shapal-m-soft-machinable-aluminium-nitride-sheet-group"
    },
    {
      "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet, mirrored on lookpolymers",
      "type": "datasheet",
      "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php"
    },
    {
      "title": "Schindler et al., An innovative concept for the AsteroidFinder/SSB focal plane assembly, arXiv:1611.00134",
      "type": "paper",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/1611.00134",
      "year": 2016
    },
    {
      "title": "ESPI Metals safety data sheet, aluminium nitride (CAS 24304-00-5)",
      "type": "sds",
      "url": "https://www.espimetals.com/index.php/msds/320-Aluminum%20Nitride"
    },
    {
      "title": "Wikipedia: Tokuyama Corporation",
      "type": "database",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokuyama_Corporation"
    },
    {
      "title": "Wikipedia: Aluminium nitride (composition and context only)",
      "type": "database",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_nitride"
    }
  ],
  "gaps": [
    "Supply: no production volume, production site, country share or price source was found for Tokuyama's machinable grade or for AlN powder, so the supply entries describe makers and sales forms only. Tokuyama's own page lists only the sintered SH-30, SH-15 and SH-50 grades, and their values were not used because they are sibling grades.",
    "Shapal-specific safety data sheet: none was found. The hazard entry uses the plain aluminium nitride sheet from ESPI Metals and is marked as not confirmed for this composite.",
    "Volume resistivity: the Tokuyama sheet prints 1.0 x 10^15 ohm cm, the Goodfellow sheet prints 1.8 x 10^13 ohm cm and 1.00e+12 ohm-cm on lookpolymers. These are printed in exponent form that the value checker cannot match, so they are not entered as properties.",
    "Tokuyama dissipation factor 10 x 10^-4 duplicates the 0.0010 value from the Goodfellow sheet and is not entered separately, for the same exponent-format reason.",
    "Outgassing: the ESA ESMAT database cited by the AsteroidFinder paper was not opened. No total mass loss, collected volatile or outgassing rate is recorded.",
    "Atomic oxygen: no erosion yield or exposure data was found.",
    "Cryogenic values: the paper's CTE curves between 150 and 300 K are shown only in a figure, so no value is recorded.",
    "Weibull modulus and fracture toughness: the paper says these are unknown for the material. The Precision Ceramics table gives KIC 2 MPa m1/2 without a test method, and it is recorded only as that sheet's value.",
    "Radiation effects on this material were not looked up.",
    "Recycling and end-of-life handling of machined composite parts: no source was found.",
    "Non-canonical property names used: compressive_strength, hardness_vickers, fracture_toughness, thermal_shock_resistance, acid_weight_loss and alkali_weight_loss. The canonical list has no name for these.",
    "Porosity (0 % in the Tokuyama and Goodfellow sheets) is in the summary and not entered as a property, because no canonical name fits."
  ],
  "story": {
    "why": "Shapal is a machinable ceramic, which ordinary ceramics are not. Tokuyama's SHAPAL Hi-M soft is a composite sintered body of aluminium nitride and boron nitride, and the AsteroidFinder paper gives the mix as 71 to 74 % AlN and 26 % BN. Its thermal conductivity is about five times that of alumina, according to Tokuyama, and the sheet prints 92 W/mK at 25 °C. It is an electrical insulator, with a dielectric strength of 65 kV/mm, and it holds a bending strength of 300 MPa at 25 °C. Its thermal expansion, 4.8 x10-6 per °C up to 400 °C, is close to that of sintered aluminium nitride, which the paper uses to justify it for a CCD subcarrier mount.",
    "uses": [
      {
        "where": "Focal plane structure of a small satellite",
        "line": "The AsteroidFinder/SSB paper selected the material for the main focal plane structure of a small satellite. The planned orbit is a Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at 650 to 850 km. It is a design study, not a flown part."
      },
      {
        "where": "Heat sinks and electrical parts",
        "line": "Tokuyama lists heat sinks, electrical components, vacuum components and crucibles for vacuum applications among typical uses."
      },
      {
        "where": "Machined prototypes and jigs",
        "line": "Tokuyama lists prototyping, small volume production, and jigs and fixtures among typical uses."
      }
    ],
    "can_do": [
      {
        "label": "Conduct heat",
        "line": "The thermal conductivity is 92 W/mK at 25 °C in the Tokuyama sheet and 90 W/m-K in the Goodfellow sheet. It falls to 35 W/mK at 1000 °C in the Precision Ceramics table.",
        "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "92 W/mK"
      },
      {
        "label": "Carry load",
        "line": "Bending strength is 300 MPa at 25 °C and 350 MPa at 1000 °C in the Precision Ceramics table. The Goodfellow sheet gives 294 MPa with no temperature stated.",
        "benchmark": "flexural_strength",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "300 MPa"
      },
      {
        "label": "Insulate",
        "line": "The dielectric constant is 6.8 at 1 MHz in the Tokuyama sheet and 7.1 in the Goodfellow sheet. Dielectric strength is 65 kV/mm in the Tokuyama sheet and 40 kV/mm in the Goodfellow sheet.",
        "benchmark": "dielectric_constant",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "6.8"
      },
      {
        "label": "Thermal expansion",
        "line": "Expansion is 4.8 x10-6 per °C from room temperature to 400 °C, and 5.0 up to 800 °C, in the Tokuyama sheet.",
        "benchmark": "cte",
        "scope": "material",
        "value": "4.8 x10-6/°C"
      }
    ],
    "compare": "Tokuyama says the thermal conductivity is about five times that of alumina. The AsteroidFinder paper gives it as about five times that of 90 % alumina and about 60 % of sintered aluminium nitride. Its expansion is almost perfectly matched to sintered aluminium nitride, according to the same paper. The densities of 2.88 and 2.95 g/cm3 are for this composite only; the sources give no density for alumina or sintered aluminium nitride, so read the table rows as this grade's values only.",
    "compare_rows": [
      {
        "label": "Density",
        "benchmark": "density",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Thermal conductivity",
        "benchmark": "thermal_conductivity",
        "scope": "material"
      },
      {
        "label": "Thermal expansion",
        "benchmark": "cte",
        "scope": "material"
      }
    ],
    "handling": [
      "Confirm the grade and the datasheet version with the supplier before design use, because the sheets disagree on density and thermal conductivity.",
      "Keep point loads in mind: the sheets give flexural strength but no Weibull modulus, and the paper recommends safety factors of 2.5 and 5.0.",
      "Avoid strong alkali: the Tokuyama sheet shows 60 mg/cm2 weight loss in 10 % NaOH over 24 hours.",
      "Ask for a current safety data sheet for the composite, since the only sheet read is for plain aluminium nitride."
    ],
    "good_for": [
      "Heat sinks and insulating plates that must be machined to shape with conventional tools.",
      "Vacuum fixtures and crucibles, where the paper cites an ESA database for zero porosity and zero outgassing.",
      "Small space hardware with an expansion close to aluminium nitride, as in the AsteroidFinder focal plane design."
    ],
    "watch_out": [
      "Datasheets disagree: thermal conductivity runs from 90 to 100 W/mK at room temperature, and density from 2.88 to 2.95 g/cm3, depending on the sheet.",
      "Brittle: failure is by fracture under point loads, and the sources give no Weibull modulus.",
      "Strong alkali attacks it: 60 mg/cm2 weight loss in 10 % NaOH, against 0.2 mg/cm2 in 10 % HCl.",
      "The space use is a design study for a planned satellite, not a flight record."
    ],
    "verdict": "Shapal is a machinable AlN-BN ceramic with about 90 to 100 W/mK at room temperature, good insulation and conventional machinability. Its flexural strength is 300 MPa at 25 °C. It is brittle, attacked by strong alkali, and its sheets disagree on density and conductivity. The only space use found is a design study, not a flown part.",
    "recipe": {
      "line": "Shapal is a composite sintered body of aluminium nitride and boron nitride (Tokuyama). The AsteroidFinder paper gives the mix as 71 to 74 % AlN and 26 % BN, and says the material is hot-pressed. Aluminium nitride is a ceramic composed of aluminium and nitrogen (Wikipedia).",
      "parts": [
        {
          "name": "Aluminium nitride",
          "symbol": "AlN",
          "role": "Main phase. It gives the high thermal conductivity and an expansion close to that of sintered aluminium nitride.",
          "share_percent": 71,
          "share_high": 74,
          "source": "arxiv-asteroidfinder",
          "where": "Section 4.1, composition of 71 - 74 % AlN and 26 % BN"
        },
        {
          "name": "Boron nitride",
          "symbol": "BN",
          "role": "Gives machinability with common tools, along with the production process, according to the paper.",
          "share_percent": 26,
          "source": "arxiv-asteroidfinder",
          "where": "Section 4.1, composition of 71 - 74 % AlN and 26 % BN"
        }
      ]
    },
    "risk_groups": [
      {
        "title": "For people",
        "lead": "The only hazard entry comes from a safety data sheet for plain aluminium nitride. No sheet for the Shapal composite was found.",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Plain AlN dust",
            "line": "The ESPI Metals sheet for plain aluminium nitride lists H315, H319 and H335 with the signal word Warning, and advises avoiding breathing dust. OSHA and ACGIH list no exposure limit. The composite is 26 % boron nitride, so these codes are not confirmed for Shapal."
          },
          {
            "label": "Inert in use",
            "line": "The sources describe no toxic effect of the machined ceramic in service. They do not test the dust from machining."
          }
        ],
        "level": 1,
        "verdict": "Plain AlN sheet only"
      },
      {
        "title": "If it fails",
        "lead": "The main risks in the sources are brittle fracture under point loads and cracking on sudden quenching. No Weibull data are published.",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Point loads",
            "line": "The AsteroidFinder paper says the limiting factor for a ceramic in point contact is its flexural strength. It recommends a factor of safety of 2.5 for ceramic parts tested and 5.0 for parts verified only by analysis."
          },
          {
            "label": "Thermal shock",
            "line": "The Tokuyama sheet lists a thermal shock resistance of 400 °C for a water quench and gives no data beyond that."
          },
          {
            "label": "Direction",
            "line": "The paper says the hot-pressed material is probably textured by its BN content, so its properties may depend on direction."
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "title": "Handling and storage",
        "points": [
          {
            "label": "Machining",
            "line": "The Tokuyama sheet says it can be drilled, ground, turned and milled with a wide range of techniques. Goodfellow says carbide tools work."
          },
          {
            "label": "Check the grade",
            "line": "The sheets print density of 2.88 and 2.95 g/cm3 and thermal conductivity of 92, 90 and 100 W/mK for the same name. Ask the supplier for the current datasheet before design use."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "updated": "2026-10-26",
  "review": {
    "status": "draft",
    "method": "assistant",
    "checked_values": 29,
    "unreachable": 0,
    "caveats": 5,
    "note": "Values were read by an AI assistant on 2026-10-26 from the pages named in each entry. The Tokuyama sheet was read as text from its PDF. Datasheets for the same grade disagree on density, thermal conductivity, dielectric constant and strength, and each disagreement is recorded in a note. Exponent-form values are left out. No Shapal-specific SDS was found."
  },
  "sources": {
    "tokuyama-hi-m-soft": {
      "title": "SHAPAL Hi-M SOFT machinable aluminium nitride ceramic, properties sheet (Tokuyama trademark; Goodfellow text; copy hosted on docs.rs-online.com)",
      "id": "Trade name SHAPAL Hi-M soft",
      "url": "https://docs.rs-online.com/aef7/A700000011841341.pdf",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Manufacturer sheet, typical values for guidance only (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "tokuyama-aln-page": {
      "title": "Tokuyama Corporation, SHAPAL aluminum nitride ceramics product page",
      "url": "https://www.tokuyama.co.jp/eng/products/advanced_materials/aln_ceramics.html",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Manufacturer web page (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "precision-ceramics-shapal": {
      "title": "Precision Ceramics, Shapal Hi M Soft material page (Tokuyama-authorised distributor)",
      "url": "https://precision-ceramics.com/materials/shapal/",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "goodfellow-eu": {
      "title": "Goodfellow, Shapal M soft machinable aluminium nitride sheet (EU page)",
      "url": "https://www.goodfellow.com/eu/shapal-m-soft-machinable-aluminium-nitride-sheet-group",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Distributor web page (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "goodfellow-lookpolymers": {
      "title": "Goodfellow Shapal-M soft aluminium nitride datasheet (mirrored on lookpolymers.com)",
      "url": "https://www.lookpolymers.com/polymer_Goodfellow-Shapal-M-soft-Aluminum-Nitride-AlN-Machinable.php",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Distributor mirror (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "arxiv-asteroidfinder": {
      "title": "Schindler, Tschentscher, Koncz, Solbrig, Michaelis: An innovative concept for the AsteroidFinder/SSB focal plane assembly (DLR)",
      "id": "arXiv:1611.00134 (manuscript version 2012)",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/1611.00134",
      "year": 2016,
      "kind": "paper",
      "license": "CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "espi-aln-sds": {
      "title": "ESPI Metals safety data sheet, aluminum nitride (plain AlN, CAS 24304-00-5)",
      "id": "CAS 24304-00-5",
      "url": "https://www.espimetals.com/index.php/msds/320-Aluminum%20Nitride",
      "kind": "datasheet",
      "license": "Supplier safety data sheet (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "wikipedia-tokuyama": {
      "title": "Wikipedia: Tokuyama Corporation",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokuyama_Corporation",
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)"
    },
    "wikipedia-aln": {
      "title": "Wikipedia: Aluminium nitride",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_nitride",
      "kind": "web",
      "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0 (cited, not reproduced)"
    }
  },
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "url": "https://spacemushroom.com/profiles/shapal/"
}