LiF
LiF is a cubic alkali halide single crystal with the shortest UV cutoff among common IR/UV materials, transmitting 0.12–6 µm, and is offered in UV and IR optical grades, hot-forged polycrystalline (HF-POLY) and dosimetry (TLD) form.
Reference datasheet — LiF 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.
LiF tempers and conditions
LiF 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard optical / IR grade single crystal | Lower-cost boule material for 0.2–6 µm windows, prisms and X-ray analyser plates where deep-VUV transmission is not required. | 11 | 0 | 105 HV | 11 W/m·K | |
LiF:Mg,Ti dosimeter grade | Doped, tissue-equivalent LiF chips/rods for thermoluminescent radiation dosimetry rather than for imaging optics. | 12 | 0 | 110 HV | 11 W/m·K | |
Hot-forged / press-forged polycrystalline LiF | Choose when large-aperture IR windows with better mechanical strength and no cleavage planes are needed; scatters slightly and is not VUV-grade. | 120 HV | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways LiF is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
UVDefault | UV / VUV grade single crystal | Grade option |
What is LiF?
LiF is a cubic alkali halide single crystal with the shortest UV cutoff among common IR/UV materials, transmitting 0.12–6 µm, and is offered in UV and IR optical grades, hot-forged polycrystalline (HF-POLY) and dosimetry (TLD) form. It is the working material for vacuum-UV windows and monochromator optics, spectroscopy prisms and thermoluminescent dosimeter chips. It cleaves readily on {100}, rates 25 for machinability, is slightly water-soluble and has high thermal expansion, with service limited to 400 °C. CaF2 or MgF2 are more robust choices above 0.13 µm. LiF has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0953 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of glass grades. It melts at 848°C (1,558 °F). The elastic modulus is 64.8 GPa (9.4 Msi).
What is LiF used for?
- VUV windows and monochromators
- spectroscopy prisms
- thermoluminescent dosimetry
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 11.3 W/m·K (6.53 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of glass grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 35/100, worse than 88% of glass grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 81% of glass grades
- Low fracture toughness — 0.35 MPa·√m (0.319 ksi·√in), worse than 79% of glass grades
- High embodied carbon — 18 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 76% of glass grades
LiF properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical5
LiF has a density of 2.64 g/cm³ (0.0953 lb/in³), lighter than 54% of glass grades. It melts at 848°C (1,558 °F).
Mechanical9
The elastic modulus is 64.8 GPa (9.4 Msi).
Thermal5
LiF is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 11.3 W/m·K (6.53 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 37 µm/m·K (20.6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
LiF has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹¹ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 88% of glass grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of LiF takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 18 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
LiF's machinability is poor (25/100, better than 63% of glass grades).
Common Calculations2
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. LiF is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with LiF
Is LiF easy to machine?
Saw with diamond wire/blade using oil or kerosene coolant; cleaves readily on {100} so avoid impact and clamping stress; single-point diamond turning works well at low feed.
Can LiF be welded?
Not weldable — components are grown, cleaved, sawn and cemented; use low-stress epoxy or spring mounts, never solder or braze.
Can LiF be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by Czochralski/Kyropoulos/Bridgman growth or by hot press-forging of sintered blanks near 700–800 °C; anneal slowly (high CTE) to avoid stress birefringence and cracking.
LiF 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Linatural isotopic abundance unless 6Li/7Li enriched grade is specified | 26.5 – 26.9 | 26.75 |
| metallic impurities (total)optical grade, typically <50 ppm; OH/oxide content controls VUV cutoff | 0 – 0.01 | 0.01 |
| F | balance |
What surface finishes work on LiF?
Polish with non-aqueous slurries (ethylene glycol/alcohol-based) on pitch or cloth; AR coat and store desiccated, since humid air fogs the surface.
How much does LiF cost?
LiF is a high-cost glass ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
LiF — frequently asked
What is LiF used for?
LiF is typically used for VUV windows and monochromators, spectroscopy prisms and thermoluminescent dosimetry. In short: shortest UV cutoff crystal; vacuum-UV window material; dosimetry-grade option available.
Is LiF easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, better than 63% of glass grades). Saw with diamond wire/blade using oil or kerosene coolant; cleaves readily on {100} so avoid impact and clamping stress; single-point diamond turning works well at low feed.
Can LiF be welded?
Not weldable — components are grown, cleaved, sawn and cemented; use low-stress epoxy or spring mounts, never solder or braze.
What surface finishes work on LiF?
Polish with non-aqueous slurries (ethylene glycol/alcohol-based) on pitch or cloth; AR coat and store desiccated, since humid air fogs the surface.
Can LiF be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by Czochralski/Kyropoulos/Bridgman growth or by hot press-forging of sintered blanks near 700–800 °C; anneal slowly (high CTE) to avoid stress birefringence and cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of LiF?
LiF is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does LiF cost?
LiF is a high-cost glass ($$$$), 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
- Lithium Fluoride (LiF) optical material datasheet — Crystran Ltd (2023)
- LiF single crystal properties — Korth Kristalle GmbH (2022)
- Handbook of Optical Constants of Solids — Academic Press (Palik, ed.) (1998)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 104th ed. — CRC Press (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.