Fused quartz is an amorphous material composed of pure silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is produced by heating high-purity quartz sand to above its melting point (approximately 1713°C), then cooling it without crystallization. This special manufacturing process gives fused quartz extremely high purity, uniformity, and outstanding physical and chemical properties.
Optical Properties:
- High Transmittance: Fused quartz has excellent transmittance across the ultraviolet to near-infrared spectrum, making it an ideal choice for optical glass.
- Low Thermal Expansion Coefficient: This means that fused quartz maintains dimensional stability with temperature changes, which is crucial for applications requiring precise optical performance.
- High Hardness and Durability: Fused quartz is highly resistant to scratches and wear, suitable for high-quality optical components.
- Good Chemical Stability: It resists most acids and bases, except for hydrofluoric acid, making it very durable in chemical environments.
- High Melting Point: The very high melting point allows fused quartz to retain its structural integrity in high-temperature environments.
Applications:
- Optical Instruments: Due to its exceptional optical performance, fused quartz is widely used in precision optical instruments such as lasers, fiber optics communication, and spectroscopic equipment.
- Semiconductor Industry: In semiconductor manufacturing, fused quartz is used for making reaction chambers, wafer carriers, and various high-temperature processing components because of its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and chemical environments.
- Lighting: Fused quartz is used to produce high-intensity gas discharge lamps and ultraviolet lamps, which need to endure high temperatures and pressures.
- Laboratory Glassware: Its chemical inertness and thermal stability make fused quartz suitable for making various laboratory glassware such as beakers, test tubes, and crucibles.
- Aerospace: In the aerospace industry, fused quartz is used to manufacture high-temperature windows, sensor covers, and other components requiring high thermal resistance and optical transparency.
Fused quartz plays an indispensable role in many high-tech fields due to its unique properties.
