Fused Silica

Fused silica includes three types: JGS1 (Ultraviolet Grade Fused Silica),JGS2 (Optical Grade Fused Quartz), and JGS3 (Full Spectrum Fused Silica).

Fused Silica is the glassy form of quartz and is thus isotropic. It is tough and hard and has a very low expansion. Normal varieties contain water that gives strong absorption in the IR. Water-free varieties are available.

Today advances in raw material beneficiation permit transparent fusions from sand as well as from crystal. Consequently, if naturally occurring crystalline silica (sand or rock) is melted, the material is simply called Fused Quartz. If the silicon dioxide is synthetically derived, however, the material is referred to as synthetic Fused Silica.

These materials are ultra pure, single component glasses (SiO2) with a unique combination of thermal, optical and mechanical properties, which make them the preferred materials for use in a variety of processes and applications where other materials are not suitable. The very high purity (over 99.9%) ensures minimum contamination in process applications.

Fused Quartz is less expensive vitreous silica formed by fusing naturally occurring quartz crystal or lower grade synthetic stock material, The UV use is limited to 250nm and this material is usually used for windows covering visible wavelengths.

Fused Silica is vitreous silica formed by fusing high purity synthetic material. The UV use can be reached about 160nm.

Ultraviolet Grade Fused Silica: JGS1 (China), equivalent to Suprasil 1 and 2 (Heraeus), Spectrosil A and B (Saint-Gobain) and Corning 7940 (Corning), Dynasil 1100 and 4100 (Dynasil).

Optical Grade Fused Quartz: JGS2 (China), equivalent to Homosil 1, 2 & 3 (Heraeus), Dynasil 1000 & 4000 and 5000 & 6000 (Dynasil)

Full Spectrum Fused Silica: JGS3 (China), equivalent to Suprasil 300 (Heraeus).