BaF2
BaF2 is a cubic barium fluoride single crystal transmitting from about 150 nm in the deep UV to 12.5 µm in the mid-IR, supplied in optical, VUV, scintillation and hot-pressed polycrystalline grades.
Reference datasheet — BaF2 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.
BaF2 tempers and conditions
BaF2 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vacuum-UV / oxygen-free high-purity single crystal | Pick the crystal grown in an anhydrous fluorinating atmosphere, with very low oxygen and hydroxyl content, for 150–200 nm deep-UV windows and excimer-laser optics. | 27 | 0 | 75 HV | 12 W/m·K | |
Scintillation-grade single crystal | Use the scintillation grade when high-count-rate calorimetry or TOF detection needs the 220 nm fast 0.6 ns component and low self-absorption; crystal size and uniformity demands are high. | 27 | 0 | 75 HV | 12 W/m·K | |
Hot-pressed / hot-forged polycrystalline BaF2 | Choose the hot-pressed or hot-forged fine-grained polycrystal for large-aperture IR windows needing better strength and thermal-shock resistance; short-wave scatter rises and deep-UV use is excluded. | 40 | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways BaF2 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
OPTDefault | Standard optical-grade single crystal | Grade option |
What is BaF2?
BaF2 is a cubic barium fluoride single crystal transmitting from about 150 nm in the deep UV to 12.5 µm in the mid-IR, supplied in optical, VUV, scintillation and hot-pressed polycrystalline grades. Its low refractive index limits reflection losses and its fast scintillation response suits radiation detectors, so it is stocked as windows, lenses, prisms and detector blanks. The crystal is soft, cleaves on (111), is sensitive to water and thermal shock, is limited to roughly 500 °C in service and rates 30 for machinability. CaF2 is the usual alternative when only UV to about 9 µm coverage is needed. BaF2 has a density of 4.89 g/cm³ (0.177 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of glass grades. It melts at 1,368°C (2,494 °F). BaF2 has a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.9 ksi), weaker than 83% of glass grades. The elastic modulus is 53 GPa (7.69 Msi).
What is BaF2 used for?
- IR windows and lenses
- UV spectroscopy optics
- scintillation detectors
- FTIR components
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 11.7 W/m·K (6.76 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of glass grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 0.27 MPa·√m (0.246 ksi·√in), worse than 90% of glass grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 90% of glass grades
- Heavy — 4.89 g/cm³ (0.177 lb/in³), worse than 86% of glass grades
- Low stiffness — 53 GPa (7.69 Msi), worse than 81% of glass grades
- Hard to polish — 65/100, worse than 78% of glass grades
BaF2 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical5
BaF2 has a density of 4.89 g/cm³ (0.177 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of glass grades. It melts at 1,368°C (2,494 °F).
Mechanical10
BaF2 has a tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.9 ksi), weaker than 83% of glass grades. The elastic modulus is 53 GPa (7.69 Msi).
Thermal5
BaF2 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 11.7 W/m·K (6.76 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 18.1 µm/m·K (10.1 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
BaF2 has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 90% of glass grades.
Manufacturability2
BaF2's machinability is poor (30/100, better than 71% of glass 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 glass family
Yield strength against density for every glass grade FabDigit runs. BaF2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with BaF2
Is BaF2 easy to machine?
Cut and grind at low speed with diamond tooling and diamond slurry; single-point diamond turning is possible. Because the (111) plane cleaves easily, use light clamping force and water-free coolant such as kerosene or mineral oil.
Can BaF2 be welded?
Not weldable; optical elements are optically contacted, bonded with low-stress adhesive, or held in metal cells with compliant retaining rings.
Can BaF2 be formed, bent or molded?
Single crystals are grown from the melt by Bridgman–Stockbarger or crucible-lowering under a scavenger atmosphere (PbF2 or CF4). Polycrystalline parts can be hot-pressed or hot-forged at 800–1000 °C.
BaF2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bastoichiometric BaF2, M = 175.32 g/mol | 78 – 78.6 | 78.33 |
| OVUV grade requires O/OH impurities <10-50 ppm | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Pb+Sr+Ca+rare earthtotal metal impurities, optical grade typically <500 ppm | ≤ 0.05 | |
| F | ≥ 21.4 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on BaF2?
Pitch or polyurethane laps with anhydrous slurry reach λ/10 figure and 20-10 scratch-dig; AR and DLC coatings can be applied. Store finished parts dry to prevent moisture attack.
How much does BaF2 cost?
BaF2 is a high-cost glass ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
BaF2 — frequently asked
What is BaF2 used for?
BaF2 is typically used for IR windows and lenses, UV spectroscopy optics, scintillation detectors and FTIR components. In short: 150 nm to 12.5 µm transmission; fast scintillation crystal; low refractive index fluoride.
What is the tensile strength of BaF2?
BaF2 has a typical tensile strength of 27 MPa (3.9 ksi) — weaker than 83% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is BaF2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, better than 71% of glass grades). Cut and grind at low speed with diamond tooling and diamond slurry; single-point diamond turning is possible. Because the (111) plane cleaves easily, use light clamping force and water-free coolant such as kerosene or mineral oil.
Can BaF2 be welded?
Not weldable; optical elements are optically contacted, bonded with low-stress adhesive, or held in metal cells with compliant retaining rings.
What surface finishes work on BaF2?
Pitch or polyurethane laps with anhydrous slurry reach λ/10 figure and 20-10 scratch-dig; AR and DLC coatings can be applied. Store finished parts dry to prevent moisture attack.
Can BaF2 be formed, bent or molded?
Single crystals are grown from the melt by Bridgman–Stockbarger or crucible-lowering under a scavenger atmosphere (PbF2 or CF4). Polycrystalline parts can be hot-pressed or hot-forged at 800–1000 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of BaF2?
BaF2 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does BaF2 cost?
BaF2 is a high-cost glass ($$$$), 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
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 104th ed. — CRC Press (2023)
- Handbook of Optical Materials — CRC Press (M. J. Weber) (2003)
- Barium Fluoride (BaF2) crystal data sheet — Korth Kristalle GmbH (2022)
- BaF2 optical window material properties — Crystran Ltd. (2023)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4 — Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
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.