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IRG 24 CHG (Chalcogenide As₄₀Se₆₀ glass)

Grade · default condition

also Schott IRG 24

Pick for 3–5 µm and 8–12 µm thermal imaging optics that must be diamond-turned or precision-moulded at low temperature.

High cost $$$$

Values for the CHG condition

Other IRG 24 tempers and conditions

IRG 24 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at IRG 24.

Compare all 2 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
CHGDefaultThis page
Chalcogenide As₄₀Se₆₀ glass
Pick for 3–5 µm and 8–12 µm thermal imaging optics that must be diamond-turned or precision-moulded at low temperature.—160110 HV0.2 W/m·K
Germanate (GeO₂-based) IR transmitting glass
Pick when visible-to-~5 µm transmission plus hard, polishable, high-temperature-capable oxide glass is needed (windows, domes, MWIR lenses).—450460 HV0.9 W/m·K

What is IRG 24 CHG?

IRG 24 CHG is IRG 24 in the CHG grade — pick for 3–5 µm and 8–12 µm thermal imaging optics that must be diamond-turned or precision-moulded at low temperature. IRG 24 CHG has a tensile strength of 16 MPa (2.32 ksi), weaker than 91% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 18.3 GPa (2.65 Msi). IRG 24 CHG has a density of 4.64 g/cm³ (0.168 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of glass grades.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 100% of glass grades

Limitations

  • Poor heat conductor — 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of glass grades
  • Low stiffness — 18.3 GPa (2.65 Msi), worse than 95% of glass grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 0.17 MPa·√m (0.155 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of glass grades
  • Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 93% of glass grades
  • Heavy — 4.64 g/cm³ (0.168 lb/in³), worse than 81% of glass grades

IRG 24 CHG properties

Typical room-temperature values for IRG 24 CHG; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are IRG 24 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among glass grades.

Physical4

IRG 24 CHG has a density of 4.64 g/cm³ (0.168 lb/in³), heavier than 81% of glass grades.

Density4.64 g/cm³0.17 lb/in³
Refractive Index2.79
Light Transmission67%
Porosity0%

Mechanical12

IRG 24 CHG has a tensile strength of 16 MPa (2.32 ksi), weaker than 91% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 18.3 GPa (2.65 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus18.3 GPa2.7 Msi
Shear Modulus7.1 GPa1 Msi
Bulk Modulus14 GPa2.1 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)16 MPa2.3 ksi
Elongation at Break0%
Compressive Strength200 MPa29 ksi
Flexural Strength18 MPa2.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)0.17 MPa·√m0.15 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers110 HV
Hardness, Knoop104 HK
Hardness, Mohs2.5

Thermal5

IRG 24 CHG is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 0.2 W/m·K (0.116 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 100% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 20.7 µm/m·K (11.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity340 J/kg·K0.08 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)20.7 µm/m·K11.5 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)120°C248 °F
Min Service Temperature-100°C-148 °F

Electrical3

IRG 24 CHG has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)8.5
Volume Resistivity1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 74% of glass grades.

Corrosion ResistanceGood55/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryInsoluble in water and dilute acids; attacked by alkalis, oxidizing acids and amines. Surface tarnishes slowly in humid air and is easily scratched, so AR/hard coatings are standard.

Manufacturability2

IRG 24 CHG's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 100% of glass grades).

MachinabilityExcellent85/100
PolishabilityExcellent85/100

Common Calculations4

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated3 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated3.9 MN·m/kg
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated0.1 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with IRG 24 CHG

Is IRG 24 easy to machine?

Excellent single-point diamond turning (low Tg, no crystalline structure); grind/polish with light pressure and non-alkaline slurries to avoid surface staining.

Can IRG 24 be welded?

Not weldable; parts are joined by optical contacting, epoxy bonding or metal-mount cementing, and glass is fused only during melt/casting under vacuum.

Can IRG 24 be formed, bent or molded?

Precision glass moulding near Tg ≈ 185 °C in inert atmosphere gives aspheres and diffractive surfaces without post-polishing; anneal slowly to avoid stress birefringence.

What surface finishes work on IRG 24?

Always AR-coat (DLC or ZnS/YF₃ stacks) — the bare surface is soft, scratch-prone and slowly tarnishes in humid air.

IRG 24 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Se≈60 at% Se (As₄₀Se₆₀ base glass)58 – 6361.3
As≈40 at% As; melted in sealed silica ampoule from 5N-6N elements≥ 37 (balance)—

IRG 24 CHG — frequently asked

What is IRG 24 CHG used for?

IRG 24 CHG is typically used for thermal imaging lenses, IR sensor windows, night-vision optics and laser rangefinder optics. In short: diamond-turnable IR glass; mouldable near 185 °C; near/mid-IR transmission.

What is the tensile strength of IRG 24 CHG?

IRG 24 CHG has a typical tensile strength of 16 MPa (2.32 ksi) — weaker than 91% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.

Is IRG 24 CHG easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 100% of glass grades). Excellent single-point diamond turning (low Tg, no crystalline structure); grind/polish with light pressure and non-alkaline slurries to avoid surface staining.

Can IRG 24 CHG be welded?

Not weldable; parts are joined by optical contacting, epoxy bonding or metal-mount cementing, and glass is fused only during melt/casting under vacuum.

What surface finishes work on IRG 24 CHG?

Always AR-coat (DLC or ZnS/YF₃ stacks) — the bare surface is soft, scratch-prone and slowly tarnishes in humid air.

Can IRG 24 CHG be formed, bent or molded?

Precision glass moulding near Tg ≈ 185 °C in inert atmosphere gives aspheres and diffractive surfaces without post-polishing; anneal slowly to avoid stress birefringence.

What is the maximum service temperature of IRG 24 CHG?

IRG 24 CHG is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. Infrared Chalcogenide Glasses IRG 22–IRG 27 — SCHOTT AG (2023)
  2. Infrared Transmitting Glasses IRG 2 / IRG 11 (germanate and calcium-aluminate types) — SCHOTT AG (2022)
  3. AMTIR-2 (As₄₀Se₆₀) optical and mechanical data — Amorphous Materials Inc. (2021)
  4. Handbook of Optics, Vol. IV — Properties of Infrared Optical Materials — OSA/McGraw-Hill (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.