LAS-S
Grade · default condition
LAS-S = sintered polycrystalline β-spodumene ceramic
Standard powder-pressed and sintered near-zero-CTE ceramic for kiln furniture, burner parts and thermally cycled structural components.
Values for the LAS-S condition
Other LAS tempers and conditions
LAS is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at LAS.
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-SDefaultThis page 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-S?
LAS-S is LAS in the LAS-S grade — standard powder-pressed and sintered near-zero-CTE ceramic for kiln furniture, burner parts and thermally cycled structural components. LAS-S 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). LAS-S 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).
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-S properties
Typical room-temperature values for LAS-S; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are LAS reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
LAS-S 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-S 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-S 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-S 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-S 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's machinability is not recommended (12/100, better than 78% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with LAS-S
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.
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.
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) | — |
LAS-S — frequently asked
What is LAS-S used for?
LAS-S 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-S?
LAS-S 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-S 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-S 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-S?
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-S 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-S?
LAS-S 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.