Synthetic Sapphire is transparent single crystal 99.99% pure Al2O3 that offers broad spectral transmission combined with high thermal conductivity, high strength, high temperature capability and is one of the most chemically durable materials known.
Chemical resistance – sapphire is highly inert and resistant to attack in most process environments including hydrofluoric acid and the fluorine plasma (NF3, CF4) applications found in semiconductor and other process environments
Mechanical properties – High Strength – with strength and stiffness 6 times higher than quartz, combined with excellent wear and scratch resistance – sapphire becomes the high performance choice.
Optical properties – with transmission from 200 to over 3500 nm, sapphire is used in applications spanning from UV to visible to short wave infra red (SWIR). With the chemical durability and high strength and scratch resistant, sapphire optical components can survive where glass, quartz, or fused silica optics would be easily damaged, scratched or chemically attacked to become opaque.
Thermal properties – usable to temperatures near 2000 C, and with thermal conductivity 28X quartz, sapphire finds many specialty applications
Electrical properties – Sapphire provide a high, stable dielectric constant with the electrical insulation required for electronic substrates, RF and microwave transmitting windows and tubes.
Surface properties – with high hardness and uniformity sapphire can be polished to very tight flatness levels 1/10th and eve 1/20th wave flatness and Angstrom level surface finishes
Wear properties – high strength and chemical durability combine to enable the production of dimensionally and optically stable components for long life use.
