Quartz glass (also known as fused silica or fused silica, Fused Silica) is an amorphous glass material mainly composed of high-purity silica (SiO ₂ ≥ 99.9%), which is made by melting at high temperature and cooling. Its unique physical and chemical properties give it an irreplaceable position in high-end industries, optics, semiconductors, and other fields. The following are the core characteristics of quartz glass:
1. Extreme high temperature resistance
High softening point: about 1650 ℃~1730 ℃, can withstand high temperatures of 1700 ℃ in the short term (ordinary glass is only 500~600 ℃).
Low thermal expansion coefficient: 5.5 × 10 ⁻⁷/℃ (close to zero expansion), extremely strong thermal shock resistance, able to withstand severe temperature changes (such as rapid cooling from 1000 ℃ to room temperature without rupture).
2. Excellent optical performance
Ultra wide light transmission range:
UV band: high transmittance from deep ultraviolet (185nm) to near-infrared (2500nm).
Visible light transmittance>93% (when thickness is 1mm).
Low fluorescence background: suitable for high-precision optical detection (such as laser and spectrometer windows).
Typical application scenarios:
Field: Specific Applications
Semiconductors: wafer processing furnace tubes, diffusion furnace liners, photolithography machine optical components
Optics: UV lenses, laser windows, space telescope lenses
Chemical industry: observation windows and pipelines for highly corrosive reactors
Lighting: High pressure mercury lamp, UV lamp tube (UV transparent and heat-resistant)
Research: High energy physics experimental apparatus, vacuum chamber observation window
precautions
Difficult mechanical processing: high hardness and brittleness, requiring diamond tools for cutting/drilling, and the edges need to be polished to prevent stress concentration.
Hydrofluoric acid sensitivity: Avoid contact with fluorine-containing media.
High cost: The price of high-purity quartz glass is tens of times higher than that of ordinary glass.
