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CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Fused quartz (transparent)
and fused silica (translucent) are amorphous products resulting from
high temperature treatment of naturally occurring quartz crystals
or sand (SiO2). Fused quartz has a nominal purity of 99.995%, and
fused silica 99.90%. Fused quartz and silica are attacked by phosphoric
acid at temperatures in the range of 150 degrees C or higher, and
by hydrofluoric acid at all temperatures.
PHYSICAL &
THERMAL PROPERTIES
Fused quartz and
silica have an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion which
imparts a high resistance to thermal shock. QSI fused quartz products
can be heated to 1500 degrees C, or higher, and immersed in cold water
without resultant physical damage. Annealing point is 1140 degrees
C, strain point is 1070 degrees C, fusion point is between 1700 and
1800 degrees C.
Devitrification of fused quartz does not usually occur at temperatures
below 1150 degrees C under normal conditions. High temperatures accelerate
devitrification particularly in the presence of surface contaminants
such as alkaline solutions, salts and vapors. To prevent deposit of
salts, fused quartz should be handled with gloves. Radioactive materials,
hydrogen and certain metals also accelerate devitrification.
Devitrification can be identified, as fused quartz cools below 250
degrees C, by a hazy film caused by micro-fine cracks. Devitrification
can be forestalled by washing the quartz surface in a 10% solution
of hydrofluoric acid for several minutes at room temperature, followed
by a series of rinses in distilled or deionized water, followed by
rapid drying.
ELECTRICAL
PROPERTIES
Fused quartz and
silica have excellent electrical strength that remains highly stable
with temperature variation. Quartz resistivity (10 to 17th power)
ohms/cc at 25 degrees C is in the order of (10 to 17th power) ohms/cc
at 1000 degrees C.
Fused Quartz
Typical Trace Element Composition (ppm by weight)
Analysis via Direct
Reading Spectrometer
Electrical
Resistance

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