Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE
Matrix
Choose for the lowest loss tangent and lowest moisture pickup in high-performance radomes and space antennas up to ~230 °C.
Values for the QF-CE condition
Other Quartz Fiber Composite grades and fills
Quartz Fiber Composite is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at Quartz Fiber Composite.
Compare all 7 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SiO₂f/SiO₂ | All-ceramic quartz composite for hypersonic missile radomes — 1000 °C+ service and very low loss, but low strength and porous/moisture-sensitive without sealing. | — | 40 | — | — |
quartz fabric reinforced PTFE microwave laminate | Pick for mm-wave PCBs and low-loss RF laminates where tanδ below 0.002 and near-zero moisture uptake are required. | — | 90 | — | — |
quartz fabric / phenolic (ablative) laminate | Ablative and fire-barrier grade for nose cones, nozzle liners and hot radome sections; higher dielectric loss than epoxy/CE. | — | 300 | — | — |
quartz fabric / polyimide or bismaleimide laminate | For continuous 250–300 °C service radomes and high-temperature RF structures where epoxy/CE Tg is insufficient. | — | 480 | — | — |
QF-EPDefault quartz fabric / epoxy laminate | Standard low-cost radome and microwave-window laminate; use up to ~150 °C where loss tangent ~0.01 is acceptable. | — | 500 | — | — |
QF-CEThis page quartz fabric / cyanate ester laminate | Choose for the lowest loss tangent and lowest moisture pickup in high-performance radomes and space antennas up to ~230 °C. | — | 520 | — | — |
Dry quartz fiber / fabric | The bare reinforcement — yarn, roving, woven fabric or tape used for prepregging, filament winding, thermal insulation and high-temperature sleeving. | — | 3,400 | 4 | — |
What is Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE?
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE is Quartz Fiber Composite in the QF-CE condition — choose for the lowest loss tangent and lowest moisture pickup in high-performance radomes and space antennas up to ~230 °C. Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE has a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi), stronger than 67% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 25 GPa (3.63 Msi). Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE has a density of 1.76 g/cm³ (0.0636 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 260°C (500 °F). QF-EP is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QF-CE is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low moisture uptake — 0.08%, better than 90% of composite grades
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE properties
Typical room-temperature values for Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Quartz Fiber Composite reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical4
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE has a density of 1.76 g/cm³ (0.0636 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of composite grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 260°C (500 °F).
Mechanical10
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE has a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi), stronger than 67% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 25 GPa (3.63 Msi).
Thermal8
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 4 µm/m·K (2.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 20 kV/mm (508 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), better than 65% of composite grades. UV resistance is good.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE takes about 320 MJ of energy and emits 22 kg of CO₂ — more than 72% of composite grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE's machinability is poor (23/100, worse than 72% of composite grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE
Is Quartz Fiber Composite easy to machine?
Extremely abrasive and prone to fiber fuzzing — use diamond-coated or PCD tooling, abrasive waterjet or diamond grinding, with dust extraction; carbide tools wear in minutes.
Can Quartz Fiber Composite be welded?
Not weldable; join by adhesive bonding (film epoxy), co-curing, or mechanical fastening with bushed/potted holes.
Can Quartz Fiber Composite be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as prepreg autoclave/press lay-up, RTM/VARTM or filament winding; fabric drapes well but the resin-rich low-void cure is critical for stable dielectric performance.
What surface finishes work on Quartz Fiber Composite?
Seal edges and machined holes against moisture ingress; radomes are typically painted with thin RF-transparent polyurethane or rain-erosion coatings; PTFE grades are copper-clad and plasma/etch treated.
Quartz Fiber Composite 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2 (quartz fiber)fiber weight fraction of laminate; fiber purity ≥99.95% SiO₂ | 60 – 72 | 68 |
| silane sizingcoupling agent on fiber surface | 0.1 – 1 | 0.4 |
| Al2O3+Na2O+Fe2O3 (fiber impurities)total metal-oxide impurity in fused silica fiber | 0 – 0.05 | 0.02 |
| epoxy resin (matrix)replaced by cyanate ester / BMI / polyimide / phenolic / PTFE in other variants | ≥ 28 (balance) | — |
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE — frequently asked
What is Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE used for?
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE is typically used for radomes, printed circuit substrates, high-temperature insulation and ballistic/thermal shielding. In short: lowest dielectric loss laminate; RF-transparent radome material; low stiffness versus carbon.
What is the tensile strength of Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE?
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE has a typical tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 67% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (23/100, worse than 72% of composite grades). Extremely abrasive and prone to fiber fuzzing — use diamond-coated or PCD tooling, abrasive waterjet or diamond grinding, with dust extraction; carbide tools wear in minutes.
Can Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE be welded?
Not weldable; join by adhesive bonding (film epoxy), co-curing, or mechanical fastening with bushed/potted holes.
What surface finishes work on Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE?
Seal edges and machined holes against moisture ingress; radomes are typically painted with thin RF-transparent polyurethane or rain-erosion coatings; PTFE grades are copper-clad and plasma/etch treated.
Can Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE be formed, bent or molded?
Processed as prepreg autoclave/press lay-up, RTM/VARTM or filament winding; fabric drapes well but the resin-rich low-void cure is critical for stable dielectric performance.
What is the maximum service temperature of Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE?
Quartz Fiber Composite QF-CE is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F), and briefly to 280°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Quartzel Fused Quartz Yarn and Fabric technical data — Saint-Gobain Quartz (2022)
- Astroquartz III quartz fiber and fabric data sheets — JPS Composite Materials (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 21: Composites — ASM International (2001)
- Radome Engineering Handbook / Microwave Materials chapters — Various (2010)
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.