Suprasil S1-2
Grade · default condition
S1-2 = suprasil 1/2
Standard choice for DUV/UV optics, spectrophotometer cells and lenses up to ~2.2 µm; ~1000 ppm OH gives best UV transmission but a strong 2.73 µm absorption band.
Values for the S1-2 condition
Other Suprasil tempers and conditions
Suprasil is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Suprasil.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S1-2DefaultThis page Suprasil 1/2 | Standard choice for DUV/UV optics, spectrophotometer cells and lenses up to ~2.2 µm; ~1000 ppm OH gives best UV transmission but a strong 2.73 µm absorption band. | — | 50 | 0 | 850 HV | 1 W/m·K |
Suprasil 300 | Pick when transmission through the 2.7 µm OH band out to ~3.5 µm is required, or when a higher-viscosity, higher-temperature-capable synthetic silica is needed. | — | 50 | 0 | 870 HV | 1 W/m·K |
Suprasil 3001/3002 | For large interferometer, laser and lithography optics needing Δn ≤ 1×10⁻⁶ in three directions plus low OH content. | — | 50 | 0 | 870 HV | 1 W/m·K |
Suprasil 311/312 | Use for large UV/excimer optics where high-OH DUV transmission and large-aperture index homogeneity must be combined. | — | 50 | 0 | 850 HV | 1 W/m·K |
What is Suprasil S1-2?
Suprasil S1-2 is Suprasil in the S1-2 grade — standard choice for DUV/UV optics, spectrophotometer cells and lenses up to ~2.2 µm; ~1000 ppm OH gives best UV transmission but a strong 2.73 µm absorption band. Suprasil S1-2 has a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi), stronger than 59% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 72.5 GPa (10.5 Msi). Suprasil S1-2 has a density of 2.2 g/cm³ (0.0795 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of glass grades. It melts at 1,713°C (3,115 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 96/100, better than 98% of glass grades
- Lightweight — 2.2 g/cm³ (0.0795 lb/in³), better than 91% of glass grades
- High service temperature — 900°C (1,652 °F), better than 86% of glass grades
Suprasil S1-2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Suprasil S1-2; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Suprasil reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical5
Suprasil S1-2 has a density of 2.2 g/cm³ (0.0795 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of glass grades. It melts at 1,713°C (3,115 °F).
Mechanical13
Suprasil S1-2 has a tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi), stronger than 59% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 72.5 GPa (10.5 Msi).
Thermal5
Suprasil S1-2 is rated for continuous service to 900°C (1,652 °F). It conducts heat at 1.4 W/m·K (0.797 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 54% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 0.52 µm/m·K (0.289 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Suprasil S1-2 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 30 kV/mm (762 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁶ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (96/100), better than 98% of glass grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Suprasil S1-2 takes about 180 MJ of energy and emits 12 kg of CO₂ — more than 69% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Suprasil S1-2's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 80% of glass grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Suprasil S1-2
Is Suprasil easy to machine?
Diamond core drilling, grinding and lapping only; no conventional cutting — keep coolant flowing and avoid edge chipping, then acid-etch or fine-grind to remove subsurface damage.
Can Suprasil be welded?
Joined by oxy-hydrogen flame working or CO₂-laser fusion at >1700 °C; high-OH grades bubble more easily, and any handling contamination causes devitrification.
Can Suprasil be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped hot by flame/electric-furnace drawing, sagging or fusing above the ~1600 °C softening point; always follow with a slow anneal near 1100 °C to remove stress birefringence.
What surface finishes work on Suprasil?
Polishes to <0.5 nm RMS with cerium oxide or colloidal silica; typically finished with AR/DUV coatings, and HF etching is used for cleaning and stress-free surface removal.
Suprasil 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 |
|---|---|---|
| OH≈1000 ppm in Suprasil 1/2 and 311/312; <1 ppm in Suprasil 300/3001 | 0 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Clresidual from precursor, mainly in low-OH grades | 0 – 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Al<50 ppb typical | ≤ 2×10⁻⁵ | 5×10⁻⁶ |
| Naalkali total in ppb range | ≤ 2×10⁻⁵ | 5×10⁻⁶ |
| Fe<20 ppb typical | ≤ 2×10⁻⁵ | 2×10⁻⁶ |
| SiO2synthetic, flame-hydrolysis of SiCl4 | ≥ 99.99 (balance) | — |
Suprasil S1-2 — frequently asked
What is Suprasil S1-2 used for?
Suprasil S1-2 is typically used for UV/DUV lens elements, semiconductor lithography optics and laser windows. In short: high UV transmission silica; low-OH synthetic quartz; lithography-grade purity.
What is the tensile strength of Suprasil S1-2?
Suprasil S1-2 has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) — stronger than 59% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Suprasil S1-2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 80% of glass grades). Diamond core drilling, grinding and lapping only; no conventional cutting — keep coolant flowing and avoid edge chipping, then acid-etch or fine-grind to remove subsurface damage.
Can Suprasil S1-2 be welded?
Joined by oxy-hydrogen flame working or CO₂-laser fusion at >1700 °C; high-OH grades bubble more easily, and any handling contamination causes devitrification.
What surface finishes work on Suprasil S1-2?
Polishes to <0.5 nm RMS with cerium oxide or colloidal silica; typically finished with AR/DUV coatings, and HF etching is used for cleaning and stress-free surface removal.
Can Suprasil S1-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped hot by flame/electric-furnace drawing, sagging or fusing above the ~1600 °C softening point; always follow with a slow anneal near 1100 °C to remove stress birefringence.
What is the maximum service temperature of Suprasil S1-2?
Suprasil S1-2 is rated for continuous use to about 900°C (1,652 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Quartz Glass for Optics — Data and Properties (Suprasil / Infrasil / Homosil) — Heraeus Conamic (2023)
- HPFS Fused Silica Standard Grade Optical Materials Product Information — Corning (2022)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 15594 / JGS1 synthetic fused silica classification — SAC (2017)
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.