materials
Fused Silica
Fused silica is used in a massive number of industries and applications, and the combination of a relatively low CTE, good thermal shock resistance, and a non-crystalline structure that allows for extremely fine polishing has made it a frequent choice for engineers all over the globe.
7.0
Relative Cost of Material
5.0
Machining Degree of Difficulty
Summary
Fused Silica is one of the most prevalent materials found in optical applications due to its extremely high level of purity, and its properties allow for complex shaping and polishing to be performed to extremely tight tolerances. Generally speaking, the properties of fused silica is extremely similar to fused quartz, but it is generally chosen for applications that require a higher purity material. Fused silica is used in a massive number of industries and applications, and the combination of a relatively low CTE, good thermal shock resistance, and a non-crystalline structure that allows for extremely fine polishing has made it a frequent choice for engineers all over the globe.
Mindrum Precision has been grinding, polishing, and machining components out of both fused quartz and fused silica for over sixty years, and this core competency has allowed us to be one of the best in the world at tight tolerance manufacturing in these materials. Click here for our contact information or to request a quote, and we will show you why more engineers are trusting us with their mission-critical needs.
Applications
Fused silica is in use in nearly every industry; fiber optics, semiconductor, aerospace, defense, research, photonics, and many more. These components can be anything from missile radomes to light bulb components, from fluid cells in the atomic microscope to the windows in the International Space Station. As a versatile material, there are constant demands for this material, and likely will be for decades to come.
Properties
| Material Property | Fused Silica |
|---|---|
| Density (g/cm^3) | 2.2 |
| Hardness (Knoop) | 570 |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | 48 |
| Modulus of Elasticity (GPa) | 72 |
| Flexural Strength (MPa) | 1138 |
| Compressive Strength (MPa) | 1103 |
| Poisson's Ratio | .17 |
| Dielectric Strength (ac-kV/mm) | 50 |
| Dielectric Constant (@1MHz) | 3.8 |
| Volume Resistivity (ohm-cm @25°C) | 7.0E9 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (1 x 10^-6/°C) | 0.6 |
| Thermal Conductivity (W/m K) | 1.4 |
| Specific Heat (J/kg*K) | 669 |
| Maximum Working Temperature (°C) | 600 - 1000 |
| Index of Refraction | 1.46 |
| *Note: Properties vary by manufacturer. The above information should be used for general reference purposes only. |
related Materials
- Fused Quartz – A lower purity, most cost-effective form of Fused Silica
- ULE Glass – Corning’s near-zero CTE optical material, used in fabry-perot cavities, mirrors, and many other applications
- N-BK7 and BK7 – Excellent optical properties, frequent choice for windows and prisms
