A transparent, round dish with two flat, clear lids. A transparent, round dish with two flat, clear lids.
Quartz glass – The purest form of silicon dioxide and an indispensable material for modern industry

What is quartz glass?

Quartz glass is a high-purity single-component glass, consisting of pure silicon dioxide (SiO₂). Due to its unique physical, chemical, and optical properties, it has established itself as an indispensable material in industry, science, and technology. In this article, we outline the characteristics, manufacturing methods, and applications of quartz glass, as well as our expertise in processing and applying this extraordinary material.

  • Composition: Pure SiO₂ without the addition of sodium carbonate or calcium oxide
  • Availability: In opaque and clear forms
  • Forms: Plates, tubes, bowls, laboratory glassware, special shapes
  • Areas of application: Versatile use in industry and science


Expertise: Our expertise in the precise processing of quartz glass enables us to develop customized solutions for the most demanding applications.

A transparent glass lens in a circular format. A transparent glass lens in a circular format.

Property

Advantage

Application

High purity

Excellent transmission for IR and UV radiation (180 nm – 3.5 µm)

Optics, measurement technology

Thermal resistance

Low coefficient of thermal expansion, high thermal shock and softening resistance

High-temperature processes

Chemical resistance

Resistant to nearly all acids and alkalis

Labor equipment

Electrical properties

High penetration strength

Electronics, Electrical engineering

Optical quality

High purity and radiation resistance

Optics, measurement technology

Note: Only weakness: Sensitive to flow and phosphoric acid.

Manufacturing Methods

Electric melting

Features: High purity, low OH content (<1-30 ppm), suitable for UV-C applications
Applications: Disinfection systems, optics

Flame melting

Features: Increased homogeneity, higher OH content (<200 ppm), lower transmission in the IR range
Application areas: General industrial applications

Synthetic process

Features: Extremely high purity, bubble-free, transmission already < 200 nm
Applications: Optical fibers, high-end optics

Several transparent glass panes stacked on top of each other. Several transparent glass panes stacked on top of each other.

Natural Quartz Glass

Properties:

  • Tmax. short-term: up to 1400 °C
  • Transmission: 200–3400 nm


Applications:

  • UV lamp systems, sight glasses in high-temperature systems, chemical and pharmaceutical industry

Synthetic Quartz Glass

Manufacturing: Condensation of SiO₂ soot particles at extremely high purity

Advantages:

  • Transmission < 200 nm, ideal for UV applications
  • Low fluorescence, nearly bubble-free

Applications:

  • Optical fibers, ultrapure water, high-tech optics

Comparison: Quartz glass vs. Borosilicate glass

Property

Quartz glass (natural)

Quartz glass (synthetic)

Borosilicate glass

Thermal expansion

0.54 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹

0.54 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹

3.25 x 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹

Tmax. Short-term

1400°C

1200°C

500°C

Transmission

200–3400 nm

< 200–1900 nm

370–2000 nm

Tips for Cleaning and Handling

Cleaning:

  • Remove grease with ethanol, then clean with deionized water
  • Do not use alkaline cleaning agents
  • For stubborn dirt: 5% hydrofluoric acid, max. 2–3 minutes


Handling:

  • Only touch with clean gloves
  • Remove alkaline residues before high-temperature use
Three clear lenses in different sizes on a white background. Three clear lenses in different sizes on a white background.

Conclusion

Quartz glass is not just a material, but a key material for numerous industrial and scientific applications. Thanks to our extensive material knowledge and comprehensive manufacturing expertise, we are able to offer you highly specialized solutions - tailored to your individual requirements.

Contact us to learn more about our products and services in the field of quartz glass. We are here to assist you with our expertise!

A project in mind?
We can help you!


Feel free to contact us and we will discuss together how we can assist you!

Search... Your entries are invalid! Please contact us! Possible working pressure: Required thickness: Maximum temperature: This is a standard sight glass that we would be happy to manufacture for you. This is a sight glass according to DIN This is a sight glass according to DIN , which we would be happy to manufacture for you.