LAS
LAS is a lithium aluminosilicate ceramic based on spodumene and petalite compositions, produced either as a sintered body or as a glass-ceramic cerammed from a melt in transparent and opaque versions.
Reference datasheet — LAS is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the LAS-S condition
LAS tempers and conditions
LAS is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. LAS-S is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Β-eucryptite (negative-CTE) ceramic | Use as a negative-expansion phase or filler to trim a composite/assembly to exactly zero CTE; mechanically weaker and prone to microcracking. | 550 HV | 1 W/m·K | |||
transparent β-quartz solid-solution glass-ceramic (cerammed) | Pick for cooktop panels, fire-viewing windows and precision optical/mirror blanks needing ~zero CTE plus optical transparency and a polishable surface. | 620 HV | 2 W/m·K | |||
LAS-SDefault Sintered polycrystalline β-spodumene ceramic | Standard powder-pressed and sintered near-zero-CTE ceramic for kiln furniture, burner parts and thermally cycled structural components. | 650 HV | 2 W/m·K | |||
opaque/white β-spodumene glass-ceramic (cookware grade) | Choose for flame-to-freezer cookware and bakeware: opaque, higher-temperature β-spodumene phase with excellent thermal-shock survival. | 700 HV | 2 W/m·K |
What is LAS?
LAS is a lithium aluminosilicate ceramic based on spodumene and petalite compositions, produced either as a sintered body or as a glass-ceramic cerammed from a melt in transparent and opaque versions. Near-zero thermal expansion gives high thermal shock resistance at 2.42 g/cm3 density, 72 GPa elastic modulus and 1.8 W/m·K thermal conductivity, used for cooktop panels, mirror blanks and thermally cycled fixtures. Maximum service temperature is about 1100 °C and strength is modest, so it is not a load-bearing structural ceramic. Where similar shock resistance is needed with higher strength, silicon nitride is the alternative. LAS has a density of 2.42 g/cm³ (0.0874 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). LAS has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 69% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
What is LAS used for?
- cooktop/cookware panels
- telescope mirror substrates
- kiln furniture
- thermal shock resistant parts
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 90% of ceramic grades
- Lightweight — 2.42 g/cm³ (0.0874 lb/in³), better than 82% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 1.8 W/m·K (1.04 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of ceramic grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 79% of ceramic grades
- Low stiffness — 72 GPa (10.4 Msi), worse than 77% of ceramic grades
LAS properties
Typical room-temperature values for LAS-LAS-S; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
LAS has a density of 2.42 g/cm³ (0.0874 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical13
LAS has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 69% of ceramic grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 72 GPa (10.4 Msi).
Thermal5
LAS is rated for continuous service to 1,100°C (2,012 °F). It conducts heat at 1.8 W/m·K (1.04 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 89% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 1 µm/m·K (0.556 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
LAS is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 61% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of LAS takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 88% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
LAS's machinability is not recommended (12/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. LAS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with LAS
Is LAS easy to machine?
Green machining or waterjet before ceramming is preferred; fired parts need diamond grinding/ultrasonic or laser machining with coolant to avoid edge chipping.
Can LAS be welded?
Not weldable — join by glass frit sealing, active-metal brazing or mechanical/compliant mounting; CTE mismatch with metals must be absorbed by the joint.
Can LAS be formed, bent or molded?
Made either by pressing/slip-casting and sintering (LAS-S) or by glass melting, rolling/pressing and a two-step nucleation + crystallization (ceramming) heat treatment.
LAS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Al2O3 | 18 – 28 | 21 |
| Li2Ofrom spodumene/petalite; sets the low-CTE phase | 2.5 – 5.5 | 3.8 |
| TiO2nucleating agent | 1 – 3.5 | 2.3 |
| ZrO2nucleating agent | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.6 |
| MgO | 0 – 2.5 | 1 |
| ZnO | 0 – 2.5 | 1.4 |
| Na2O+K2Oresidual alkali, kept low | 0 – 1.5 | 0.6 |
| BaO | 0 – 3 | 0.8 |
| SnO2/As2O3fining agent (SnO2 in As-free formulations) | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| SiO2network former; β-quartz/β-spodumene s.s. host | ≥ 55 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on LAS?
Surface can be lapped and polished to optical quality (glass-ceramic grades), acid-etched, screen-printed with ceramic ink, or coated with sol-gel/PVD films.
How much does LAS cost?
LAS is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
LAS — frequently asked
What is LAS used for?
LAS is typically used for cooktop/cookware panels, telescope mirror substrates, kiln furniture and thermal shock resistant parts. In short: near-zero expansion glass-ceramic; cookware-grade thermal shock; polishable to optical finish.
What is the tensile strength of LAS?
LAS has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 69% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is LAS easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades). Green machining or waterjet before ceramming is preferred; fired parts need diamond grinding/ultrasonic or laser machining with coolant to avoid edge chipping.
Can LAS be welded?
Not weldable — join by glass frit sealing, active-metal brazing or mechanical/compliant mounting; CTE mismatch with metals must be absorbed by the joint.
What surface finishes work on LAS?
Surface can be lapped and polished to optical quality (glass-ceramic grades), acid-etched, screen-printed with ceramic ink, or coated with sol-gel/PVD films.
Can LAS be formed, bent or molded?
Made either by pressing/slip-casting and sintering (LAS-S) or by glass melting, rolling/pressing and a two-step nucleation + crystallization (ceramming) heat treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of LAS?
LAS is rated for continuous use to about 1,100°C (2,012 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does LAS cost?
LAS is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Glass-Ceramic Technology (Höland & Beall) — Wiley/ACerS (2019)
- ZERODUR and CERAN glass-ceramic technical datasheets — SCHOTT AG (2023)
- Technical ceramics property tables (silicate/glass-ceramic grades) — Kyocera / CoorsTek (2022)
- GB/T 1965 / GB/T 6569 fine-ceramics test methods (porosity, flexural strength) — SAC (2006)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.