NaCl SC-IR
Grade · default condition
SC-IR = czochralski/Kyropoulos grown single crystal, IR optical grade
Pick the Czochralski/Kyropoulos-grown single crystal for standard IR windows, prisms and liquid cells where highest transmission and lowest scatter matter; cleavage planes limit handling and machining.
Values for the SC-IR condition
Other NaCl tempers and conditions
NaCl is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at NaCl.
- SC-IR
- HF-POLY
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SC-IRDefaultThis page Czochralski/Kyropoulos grown single crystal, IR optical grade | Pick the Czochralski/Kyropoulos-grown single crystal for standard IR windows, prisms and liquid cells where highest transmission and lowest scatter matter; cleavage planes limit handling and machining. | — | 3 | — | 20 HV | 7 W/m·K |
Hot-forged / press-forged polycrystalline NaCl | Use the fine-grained hot-forged polycrystal for large-aperture CO2 laser windows needing higher strength and cleavage resistance; scatter is slightly higher and service temperature drops to 350 °C. | — | — | — | — | — |
What is NaCl SC-IR?
NaCl SC-IR is NaCl in the SC-IR grade — pick the Czochralski/Kyropoulos-grown single crystal for standard IR windows, prisms and liquid cells where highest transmission and lowest scatter matter; cleavage planes limit handling and machining. NaCl SC-IR has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi), weaker than 98% of glass grades. The elastic modulus is 40 GPa (5.8 Msi). NaCl SC-IR has a density of 2.17 g/cm³ (0.0782 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of glass grades. It melts at 801°C (1,474 °F).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of glass grades
- Lightweight — 2.17 g/cm³ (0.0782 lb/in³), better than 98% of glass grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 85% of glass grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 5/100, worse than 98% of glass grades
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 88% of glass grades
- Low stiffness — 40 GPa (5.8 Msi), worse than 85% of glass grades
- Low fracture toughness — 0.3 MPa·√m (0.273 ksi·√in), worse than 85% of glass grades
NaCl SC-IR properties
Typical room-temperature values for NaCl SC-IR; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are NaCl reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical5
NaCl SC-IR has a density of 2.17 g/cm³ (0.0782 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of glass grades. It melts at 801°C (1,474 °F).
Mechanical12
NaCl SC-IR has a tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi), weaker than 98% of glass grades. The elastic modulus is 40 GPa (5.8 Msi).
Thermal5
NaCl SC-IR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 6.5 W/m·K (3.76 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 44 µm/m·K (24.4 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
NaCl SC-IR is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 15 kV/mm (381 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (5/100), worse than 98% of glass grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of NaCl SC-IR takes about 20 MJ of energy and emits 1.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 92% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability2
NaCl SC-IR's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 85% of glass grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with NaCl SC-IR
Is NaCl easy to machine?
Single-point diamond turn or dry grind to shape, always in a low-humidity environment (<30 % RH). Use only anhydrous coolants and lubricants — mineral oil or dry cutting is usual, and isopropanol should be used with care.
Can NaCl be welded?
Not applicable. Bond optics with dry silicone or epoxy in a dry environment, and leave clearance in the mount for the high CTE.
Can NaCl be formed, bent or molded?
Large boules are grown from the melt by the Kyropoulos, Czochralski or Bridgman methods; blanks can also be hot forged at 400–600 °C into fine-grained polycrystalline material for higher strength.
What surface finishes work on NaCl?
Dry polish with an anhydrous polishing fluid or dry pad, then immediately apply a moisture-barrier/AR coating or store in a dry nitrogen cabinet. Fogged surfaces can be recovered by re-polishing dry.
NaCl 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nastoichiometric | 39.2 – 39.4 | 39.34 |
| total metallic impuritiesoptical grade; K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Br typically <50 ppm each | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Clstoichiometric | balance | — |
NaCl SC-IR — frequently asked
What is NaCl SC-IR used for?
NaCl SC-IR is typically used for IR spectroscopy windows, disposable IR sample cells and IR prisms. In short: cheapest IR window crystal; highly hygroscopic; dry storage; transmits 0.2–16 µm.
What is the tensile strength of NaCl SC-IR?
NaCl SC-IR has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) — weaker than 98% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is NaCl SC-IR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 85% of glass grades). Single-point diamond turn or dry grind to shape, always in a low-humidity environment (<30 % RH). Use only anhydrous coolants and lubricants — mineral oil or dry cutting is usual, and isopropanol should be used with care.
Can NaCl SC-IR be welded?
Not applicable. Bond optics with dry silicone or epoxy in a dry environment, and leave clearance in the mount for the high CTE.
What surface finishes work on NaCl SC-IR?
Dry polish with an anhydrous polishing fluid or dry pad, then immediately apply a moisture-barrier/AR coating or store in a dry nitrogen cabinet. Fogged surfaces can be recovered by re-polishing dry.
Can NaCl SC-IR be formed, bent or molded?
Large boules are grown from the melt by the Kyropoulos, Czochralski or Bridgman methods; blanks can also be hot forged at 400–600 °C into fine-grained polycrystalline material for higher strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of NaCl SC-IR?
NaCl SC-IR 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.
Sources
- Sodium Chloride (NaCl) optical material datasheet — Crystran Ltd (2023)
- NaCl IR window and prism data — Korth Kristalle GmbH (2022)
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 102nd ed. — CRC Press (2021)
- Refractive index of NaCl (Li 1976 dispersion data) — J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data / refractiveindex.info (1976)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- NaCl/KBr (2025)
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.