Quartz glass, also known as fused quartz or fused silica, is a high-purity material with outstanding properties. It is indispensable in many industries. But how exactly is this special glass produced?
We give you a detailed insight into the manufacturing process of quartz glass and explain the crucial steps that are necessary to produce this extraordinary material.
Production of quartz glass
The production of quartz glass is a complex process that requires precise control and highly specialized techniques. Let's take a look at the process step by step.
1. raw materials and cleaning
The starting material for this process is pure silicon dioxide (SiO2), which can be available in various forms, such as natural quartz sand or synthetic silicon dioxide.
The first step in the production of quartz glass is the selection and purification of the raw materials. To ensure high purity, only the purest forms of silicon dioxide are used.
This raw material is then thoroughly cleaned to remove any impurities that could affect the properties of the finished quartz glass.
2. melting process
The melting process is a crucial step in the production of quartz glass. There are several methods of melting silicon dioxide, but the most common processes are electric melting and flame hydrolysis.
Electric melting:
In this process, silicon dioxide is melted in an electrically heated furnace at extremely high temperatures (over 2000 degrees Celsius). The resulting melt then flows out of the crucible through a lower mold, in which the material is subsequently shaped into tubes, plates or rods.
Flame hydrolysis process:
In this process, silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) is fed into a flame, where it oxidizes at high temperatures and burns into fine silicon dioxide particles. These particles form a solid block, which is then processed further.
3. shaping and finishing
After the quartz glass has been melted and shaped, the post-processing takes place. This process involves cooling and relaxing the quartz glass and subsequent mechanical treatment in order to achieve the desired properties and the required precision.
Cool down and relax
The cooled quartz glass must be carefully relaxed to relieve internal stresses that have arisen during the melting process. This step is crucial to avoid cracks or deformations in the finished product.
Mechanical processing
Quartz glass can be further processed using various mechanical methods to achieve the desired quartz glass products in different shapes and sizes.
This includes
- Cutting
- Drilling
- Loops
These steps require special tools and techniques, as quartz glass is difficult to process due to its hardness and brittleness.
Tools made of diamond crystals can cut through the glass precisely without damaging the brittle material. A high-pressure water jet is an alternative and effective cutting technique for very thick quartz glass.
Quartz glass and its properties
Quartz glass has a number of unique properties that distinguish it from other types of glass and qualify it for special applications.
✔️ High thermal shock resistance
Quartz glass can withstand extremely high temperatures and has exceptional thermal shock resistance. This makes it suitable for use in the semiconductor industry and in high-temperature processes.
✔️ Chemical resistance
Quartz glass is chemically inert and resists most acids and bases. This makes it one of the most important materials in the chemical industry and in medical technology.
✔️ High purity
Due to the use of pure silicon dioxide in its manufacture, quartz glass has an extremely high purity. This is primarily important in areas such as optics and electronics, where impurities can lead to significant performance problems.
✔️ Outstanding optical properties
Quartz glass is transparent to a wide range of light wavelengths, from ultraviolet to infrared. These optical properties make it ideal for applications in laser technology and optical components.
GVB GmbH - Your reliable partner for high-quality quartz glass
Our expertise in specialty glass processing and our commitment to the highest quality standards make GVB GmbH a leading supplier in the industry. Our in-depth specialist knowledge and advanced technology enable us to offer customized solutions.
At GVB, we pride ourselves on offering you quartz glass products of the highest purity and precision. Our comprehensive understanding of quartz glass manufacturing and processing ensures that we can supply the best quartz glass products for your requirements.
Rely on GVB GmbH to realize the most demanding projects in the quartz glass industry.
