Fused quartz, sometimes referred to as fused silica, is a glassy, non-crystalline form of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that is produced by melting high-purity silica sand or quartz crystals. It is made by heating the silica material to a high temperature and then cooling it down to solidify without crystallization.
The process of producing fused quartz involves melting raw materials at extremely high temperatures, typically over 1,700 degrees Celsius (3,100 degrees Fahrenheit). This high-temperature treatment removes impurities and results in a highly pure and homogeneous material with excellent optical, thermal, and chemical properties.
Fused quartz has several valuable properties, making it useful in various industrial and scientific applications:
High Purity: Fused quartz is extremely pure, with low levels of impurities, resulting in excellent optical clarity, making it suitable for lenses, windows, and prisms used in optics and lasers.
Thermal Stability: It exhibits high resistance to thermal shock and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, making it valuable in applications requiring thermal stability, such as in semiconductor manufacturing and high-temperature laboratory equipment.
Chemical Inertness: Fused quartz is highly resistant to chemical corrosion and can withstand exposure to acids and other harsh chemicals, making it suitable for use in chemical processing equipment and laboratory environments.
Electrical Insulation: It is an excellent electrical insulator, making it valuable in electrical applications where high insulation and resistance to high temperatures are needed.
