Silicon nitride is used as radomes for missiles in the latest air defense systems. It was specifically selected for missile radomes because of its mechanical strength and dielectric properties.









Thermo Materials, a division of Ceradyne, produces missile radomes that are used on the leading edge of missiles to allow microwave or other energy to pass through to locate incoming targets. The two prime criteria include transparency to various microwave energy, and mechanical strength to allow the missile system to withstand erosion and large temperature excursions while flying at hyper-velocity through the atmosphere.