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Category Archive: Quartz

5 Key Benefits of Fused Silica & Quartz

Fused silica and quartz are two commonly employed materials in glass fabrication operations. Both substances offer unique properties that make them suitable for use in fabricated glass components. The following blog post provides an overview of the two, including their composition, key benefits, and typical applications. 

Benefits of Fused Silica Glass

fused-silicaFused silica is a non-crystalline synthetic material comprised of silicon gas or silica sand. Since it is synthetically processed, it is the purest form of glass on the market, both structurally and physically. Its cross-linked three-dimensional structure results in exceptional thermal resistance and near-zero thermal expansion.

Some of the key benefits of using this glass material include:

  1. High chemical purity and resistance
  2. High softening point and strong thermal resistance
  3. Low thermal expansion and high thermal shock resistance
  4. High transparency from ultraviolet to infrared spectral range
  5. High radiation resistance

Benefits of Quartz Glass

Quartz is a naturally occurring crystalline mineral comprised of oxygen and silicon. It is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet and forms in most rock types in the Earth’s crust. When converted into glass, it’s found in applications in many scientific research and other high-tech operations. 

Some of the key benefits of using this glass material include: 

  1. Good transmission behavior in the ultraviolet range
  2. High-temperature endurance in the visible and infrared range
  3. Low coefficient of thermal expansion and high thermal shock resistance
  4. Exceptional electrical insulation and high chemical purity
  5. Suitability for permanent operation at 1100° C or short-term operation at 1300° C

Applications of Fused Silica and Quartz Glass

Both fused silica and quartz glass are ideal for use in many different industrial applications, including the following:

  • Chemical and pharmaceutical processes. Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing operations experience a wide range of conditions, including exposure to high temperatures, corrosive chemicals, and water. Parts and components made from fused silica and quartz are ideal for use in these environments as they are chemically pure, chemical resistant, non-hygroscopic, and thermal shock resistant.
  • Electronics and electro-technology. Electronics and electronic technology rely on both conductive and insulating components. For the latter, fused silica and quartz are ideal as a construction material as they offer low conductivity, high penetration field strength, and low electric loss factor. 
  • High-temperature operations. The thermal properties of both materials allow them to withstand high processing temperatures without risk of damage or degradation. 
  • Light and laser technology. Many light-based systems (e.g., lasers) rely on glass optical components—such as ones made from fused silica and quartz—to focus or separate light to perform their operations.
  • Optical system components. Fused silica and quartz are used in the manufacture of many optical parts—such as lenses, mirrors, UV and IR transmitting optics, and metrology components—due to their ability to transmit light in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range.  
  • Semiconductors. The purity of the two materials is particularly essential for components such as semiconductors, which play a role in many systems used in critical applications.
  • UV light sanitation. UV light sanitation serves as a non-toxic alternative to disinfection. As both fused silica and quartz demonstrate high thermal and radiation resistance, they are suitable for use in equipment subjected to such operations, such as semiconductor components and medical and laboratory instruments.   

Fused Silica and Quartz Glass From Swift Glass

At Swift Glass, we have provided quality custom glass fabrication for nearly 100 years. We stock a wide range of fused silica and quartz glasses from a variety of manufacturers, each of which offers unique advantages. For example, our fused silica demonstrates a cross-linked, three-dimensional structure that results in high thermal shock resistance, UV and IR transparency, and near-zero thermal expansion. Some of our other product offerings include: 

  • Industrial- and commercial-grade fused silica and quartz for sight glasses
  • UV-fused silica for applications requiring low content of inclusion and/or high refractive index homogeneity

For additional information about fused silica and quartz or our products and services, contact us or request a quote today. 

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Alternative Materials to the Discontinued Corning® Vycor® Glass

Material Options to Substitute for Corning® Vycor® Glass

Invented by Corning in 1939, Corning® Vycor® Glass has been used in a wide range of applications over the years, from laboratory equipment to early spacecraft viewing ports.

A blend of 96% silica and 4% boron trioxide, Corning® Vycor® Glass is a high-temperature glass valued for its low coefficient of thermal expansion — 7.5 x 10-7/°C when measured between 0 °C (32 °F) and 300 °C (572 °F). It also features excellent thermal shock resistance and superior optical qualities.

Recently, however, Corning discontinued Corning® Vycor® Glass, and now companies across various industries are searching for reliable alternatives.

Quartz: A Viable Corning® Vycor® Glass Replacement

Among dozens of types of glass, quartz is one of the best replacements for Corning® Vycor® Glass. Extremely versatile, quartz — like Corning® Vycor® Glass — is a high-silica glass, as it’s produced from naturally occurring quartz, which is composed entirely of silica dioxide. Because quartz is naturally occurring, quartz glass may have residual levels of impurities, but these typically only affect ultraviolet transmission.

Like Corning® Vycor® Glass, quartz has superior optical properties and strong thermal performance variables, including high working and melting temperatures, thermal shock resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Quartz also exhibits strong resistance to corrosion caused by atmospheric gases, water, and acid, and has good electrical properties.

Versatile and reliable, quartz is an ideal Corning® Vycor® Glass replacement for any project that requires strong, high-performance glass.

Learn More

Although quartz is an excellent Corning® Vycor® Glass alternative for many applications, you may require a different material depending on the intended end use of the glass. Extreme applications, in particular, often necessitate a different Corning® Vycor® Glass substitute.

Founded nearly 100 years ago, Swift Glass Co. is an industry-leading manufacturer of fabricated glass parts. Over the decades, we’ve developed a wealth of expertise working with a variety of glasses, many of which are well suited for use as Corning® Vycor® Glass alternatives.

To learn more about glass materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, download our free eBook, “Creating Glass That Withstands Extreme Environments,” or contact the team today to discuss your specific needs.

Download: Creating Glass That Withstands Extreme Environments

Quartz vs. Fused Silica: What’s the Difference?

If your project demands high performance material, you may have more options than you think. Quartz, Fused Quartz and Fused Silica are all part of an extremely pure family of materials with high working and melting temperatures and superior optical properties as well as low coefficient of expansion.

While they’re often used interchangeably, the fundamental structures and creation of quartz and fused silica are different. Both are highly specialized, but their particular performances vary.Quartz/Fused Silica

Quartz

Quartz is a very versatile, naturally occurring substance with good electrical, optical and thermal performance and corrosion resistance. In production, quartz glass or fused quartz is created from grains of natural material that are melted and purified.

Key Traits

  • Crafted from naturally occurring crystalline quartz or silica grains
  • Amorphous
  • Non-crystalline product
  • Retains some residual impurities from raw material (affects ultraviolet transparency)
  • Low OH content

Fused Silica

Fused Silica is an entirely synthetic material, and is technically the purest glass. It has the highest temperature characteristics of any glass, and it often begins as pure silicon gas. Because of the way fused silica is made, it has superior ultraviolet performance to natural quartz and is ideal for applications such as UV transmitting optics.

Key Traits

  • Crafted from silicon gas or silica sand (non-crystalline)
  • Amorphous
  • Cross-linked, 3D structure
  • Significant transparency into deep ultraviolet
  • Retains some residual impurities from water vapor in processing (affects infrared transparency)

High Performance Materials at Swift Glass

Both of these materials are ideal for semiconductor fabrication, technical and laboratory equipment. Distinctive features they share include:

  • Extremely low coefficient of expansion (very shock resistant)
  • Extremely high temperature resistance
  • Exceptional optical transmission

The Swift Glass Team specializes in custom work, and we’re proud to maintain a vast material inventory. Having a wide range of choices makes it easy to find the perfect glass for your next project, but it also requires careful consideration and attention to subtle qualities.

Remember to evaluate the key traits you need, even once you’ve narrowed your search to a high-performance material:

  • Thickness
  • Normal Service Temperatures
  • Extreme Service Temperatures
  • Maximum Temperature, Thermal Shock
  • Maximum Temperature, Thermal Gradient
  • In/In/F Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

We stock a range of quartz and fused silica glasses from different manufacturers, each with its own particular strengths. Check our online resources and eBooks to learn more, or call the team for more insight — we’ll find just the right glass for your next project.

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