Choosing the right material for high heat is important. It helps with safety, performance, and lasting use. Materials act differently when exposed to high temperatures. For example:
CarTech A-286 alloy works up to 1150°F (620°C).
Pyromet® 718 alloy stays strong up to 1250°F (675°C).
Rene 41 performs best at 1600°F (870°C).
Some stainless steels survive up to 2100°F (1150°C).
For non-metal materials, fused quartz and borosilicate glass are popular. But how do they handle high heat? Let’s find out more.
Key Takeaways
Fused quartz is mostly silica, so it handles heat well. It also doesn’t expand much when heated, making it great for high temperatures.
Borosilicate glass has silica and boron trioxide. It is strong and resists sudden temperature changes but works better for medium heat.
When picking materials, think about cost and how they perform. Fused quartz costs more but lasts longer in tough conditions.
Fused quartz is very clear and lets UV light pass through. This makes it the best choice for science tools and exact uses.
Both materials are useful. Use fused quartz for high heat and chemicals. Use borosilicate glass for daily items and lab tools.
Overview of Fused Quartz and Borosilicate Glass
What is Fused Quartz?
Fused quartz is a special type of glass. It is made from almost pure silica (SiO2) and has no crystals. Unlike normal glass, it handles heat and light very well. To make it, manufacturers melt pure silica sand using heat methods like flame fusion. This process keeps it very pure, which is important for tough jobs.
Fused quartz comes in many forms, including custom-made and ready-made products. It doesn’t expand much when heated, melts at very high temperatures (about 2200 °C or 4000 °F), and resists chemicals. It also lets ultraviolet and infrared light pass through, making it great for science and industry.
What is Borosilicate Glass?
Borosilicate glass is another type of glass. It is made from silica and boron trioxide. This glass is strong and doesn’t break easily with quick temperature changes. It’s often used in labs, cookware, and lights because it can handle heat changes well.
Borosilicate glass melts at a lower temperature than fused quartz, around 820 °C (1508 °F). It’s not as pure as fused quartz but still works well for many hot applications. It is cheaper and useful for both factories and everyday items.
How Are They Different?
The main difference is what they’re made of. Fused quartz is nearly all silica, while borosilicate glass has about 80% silica and 13% boron trioxide, plus other materials. This changes how they work.
Fused quartz has no crystals, so it handles heat better and is clearer. Its purity makes it perfect for precise tasks. Borosilicate glass has a mix of materials, making it less heat-stable but stronger against physical stress.
Property/Aspect | Fused Quartz | Borosilicate Glass |
|---|---|---|
What It’s Made Of | Almost pure silica (SiO2) | Silica, boron trioxide, and others |
Melting Temperature | ~2200 °C (4000 °F) | ~820 °C (1508 °F) |
Heat Expansion | Very low | Low |
Light Transmission | UV and infrared | Visible light |
Chemical Resistance | High | Moderate |
Knowing these differences helps you pick the right material. Whether for science, industry, or home use, choose what fits your needs best.
Thermal Properties of Fused Quartz and Borosilicate Glass
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) shows how much a material grows when heated. Fused quartz has an extremely low CTE, almost zero. This means it stays stable even with big temperature changes. Borosilicate glass has a higher CTE of about 5 x 10⁻⁶ /K. It expands more than fused quartz but less than regular glass.
Material | Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) |
|---|---|
Fused Silica | 5 x 10⁻⁷ /K |
Type I Borosilicate Glass | 5 x 10⁻⁶ /K (or 5 ppm/K) |
Fused quartz’s very low expansion helps it keep its shape under heat. This makes it great for jobs needing stable materials in high temperatures.
Thermal Shock Resistance
Thermal shock resistance is how well a material handles quick temperature changes. Fused quartz is excellent at this because of its purity and low expansion. Borosilicate glass is good too, but its mixed materials make it less resistant than fused quartz.
Tests like the Plate Reverberation Test and Transmitted Wave Tests check how materials handle sudden heat changes. Fused quartz performs better, making it ideal for fast heating and cooling. Borosilicate glass works well for less extreme conditions.
Test Type | Description |
|---|---|
Plate Reverberation Test | Checks how materials react to shock waves |
Transmitted Wave Tests | Studies how waves move through stressed materials |
Maximum Service Temperature
The maximum service temperature is the highest heat a material can handle without breaking. Fused quartz can take up to 1670 °C, much higher than borosilicate glass, which softens at 820 °C.
Property | Fused Quartz Values |
|---|---|
Softening Point | 1500 °C to 1670 °C |
Annealing Point | 1215 °C |
Strain Point | 1120 °C |
Fused quartz is perfect for very high heat jobs. Borosilicate glass, with its lower heat limit, works better for medium-heat uses like lab tools or cookware.
Fused quartz stands out for its amazing heat properties. Its low expansion and high heat resistance make it reliable for tough, hot environments.
Mechanical and Optical Characteristics
Strength and Durability
Fused quartz and borosilicate glass handle stress differently. Fused quartz has a higher stress limit, called the Hugoniot Elastic Limit (HEL), at 8.7 GPa. However, it softens under heat, lowering its HEL to 5.3 GPa. Borosilicate glass has an HEL of 7.5 GPa, meaning it handles less stress before changing shape.
Tests show borosilicate glass can handle spall stresses between 1.05 and 2.2 GPa. This makes it strong for less extreme uses. Fused quartz, being stronger, works better in tough jobs like industrial furnaces or high-pressure tools.
Optical Clarity and UV Transmission
Fused quartz is very clear and great for optical uses. It lets ultraviolet (UV) light pass through easily without bending or distorting it. This makes it perfect for scientific tools and optical windows.
Borosilicate glass is also clear but focuses on visible light. It’s good for everyday items like cookware and lights. However, it doesn’t let UV light through as well as fused quartz. For UV-related tasks, fused quartz is the better choice.
Chemical Resistance
Both materials resist chemicals well, but fused quartz is better in harsh conditions. Its pure silica makeup makes it resist strong acids and alkalis. Borosilicate glass also resists chemicals but may wear down with long exposure to harsh ones.
For tough chemical environments, fused quartz is the best pick. Borosilicate glass is still good for less harsh uses, like lab tools.
Applications in High-Temperature Environments
Industrial Uses (e.g., furnaces, reactors)
Factories need materials that handle heat and quick temperature changes. Fused quartz is great for making semiconductor parts and high-heat reactors. It works well at temperatures up to 980°C (1,800°F). Its ability to resist sudden heat changes makes it dependable for tough jobs.
Borosilicate glass is also useful in factories, especially for medium heat and strength. It is often used in chemical reactors and heat exchangers. It resists heat stress and chemical damage. But fused quartz is better for jobs needing higher heat and stability.
Material | Thermal Shock Resistance | |
|---|---|---|
Fused Quartz | Up to 980°C (1,800°F) | Handles big temperature changes very well |
Borosilicate Glass | Lower than fused quartz | Better than soda-lime glass for heat changes |
Laboratory Equipment and Scientific Tools
Labs need materials that handle heat, chemicals, and accuracy. Fused quartz is perfect for lenses and prisms. It is very clear and lets ultraviolet light pass through, making it great for science tools. It is also used in high-heat crucibles and furnace windows.
Borosilicate glass is common in lab items like beakers and test tubes. It resists heat and chemicals, so it’s good for experiments with fast heating and cooling. Both materials are useful in labs, but fused quartz is better for optical tools and precise tasks.
Consumer Products (e.g., cookware, lighting)
You see these materials in cookware and lights at home. Borosilicate glass is popular for baking dishes and stovetop pans. It handles temperature changes of about 330°F (170°C). It’s also used in lightbulbs and decorative lights because it’s strong and affordable.
Fused quartz is used in special products like medical tools and high-quality lights. It is chosen for safety and reliability. Both materials resist heat changes well, but fused quartz is best for sensitive uses.
Borosilicate glass handles heat changes better than soda-lime glass, which only tolerates about 100°F (40°C).
Fused quartz’s purity makes it ideal for medical and optical tools, where safety and precision matter.
Picking the Best Material for Your Needs
Cost vs. Performance
Choosing materials means thinking about cost and how well they work. Borosilicate glass costs less than fused quartz, so it’s used more often. Making borosilicate glass is simpler, which lowers its price. Fused quartz, though, has better heat and light properties, making it worth the extra money for special uses.
Tests show fused quartz handles more stress and tough conditions. For example:
Fused quartz can handle up to 39 MPa stress, like advanced glass.
Changing the shape of glass parts can make them stronger.
If your project needs high accuracy or extreme heat, fused quartz might save money over time by lasting longer. For easier jobs, borosilicate glass is a cheaper option that still works well.
Durability and Care
How long a material lasts is important when choosing. Both fused quartz and borosilicate glass are strong, but they work differently in certain places.
Material | Strength | Common Uses | |
|---|---|---|---|
Fused Quartz | Excellent | Very High | Hot environments |
Borosilicate | Good | High | Labs and kitchens |
Fused quartz is great for very hot places because it doesn’t crack with fast temperature changes. Borosilicate glass is strong too but works better in less extreme spots like labs or kitchens.
Taking care of them is different. Fused quartz doesn’t get damaged by chemicals, so it needs less cleaning or fixing in tough spots. Borosilicate glass resists most chemicals but might need more care in harsh conditions to stay in good shape.
When picking between fused quartz and borosilicate glass, think about their features. Fused quartz works well in very high heat and is super clear. This makes it great for precise and hot jobs. Borosilicate glass is strong and cheaper, so it’s good for everyday and medium-heat tasks.
Both materials have pros and cons. Fused quartz handles heat and chemicals but costs more money. Borosilicate glass is tough but can’t take as much heat. For exact work, fused quartz is the best option. For regular use, borosilicate glass is a budget-friendly choice.
FAQ
Why is fused quartz more expensive than borosilicate glass?
Fused quartz costs more because it is very pure. Making it needs special tools and high heat. Borosilicate glass is cheaper since it’s easier to make with mixed materials.
Can borosilicate glass handle very high heat?
Borosilicate glass works well in medium heat, like in labs. But it softens at about 820°C (1508°F). For very high heat, fused quartz is better because it stays stable and melts at higher temperatures.
Which is better for optical uses?
Fused quartz is best for optical tools. It lets UV and infrared light pass clearly. Borosilicate glass works for visible light but doesn’t handle UV as well, so it’s not ideal for precise optics.
How do these materials handle quick temperature changes?
Fused quartz is great for sudden heat changes because it barely expands. Borosilicate glass also handles heat changes but not as well as fused quartz. For extreme conditions, fused quartz is the better choice.
Is fused quartz worth the extra money?
If you need something for high heat, chemicals, or precise optics, fused quartz is worth it. It lasts longer and performs better. For regular or medium-heat jobs, borosilicate glass is a cheaper and good option.
