YAG PC-CER
Grade
PC-CER = transparent polycrystalline YAG ceramic
Pick for large-aperture, composite or gradient-doped gain media and windows that cannot be grown as a single boule.
Values for the PC-CER condition
Other YAG tempers and conditions
YAG is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at YAG.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Er:YAG | Pick for 2.94 µm medical/dental and 1.64 µm eye-safe lasers; heavy doping raises density and cuts thermal conductivity. | — | 170 | 0 | 1,330 HV | 7 W/m·K |
Nd:YAG | The standard 1064 nm laser gain medium — pick for lamp- or diode-pumped rods, slabs and Q-switched markers. | — | 175 | 0 | 1,350 HV | 11 W/m·K |
Yb:YAG | Pick for high-average-power 1030 nm thin-disk and diode-pumped systems where low quantum defect matters. | — | 175 | 0 | 1,350 HV | 8 W/m·K |
SC-UNDDefault Undoped Czochralski single crystal | Pick for IR windows, laser end-caps/diffusion-bonded caps, substrates and optical components where no gain is wanted. | — | 180 | 0 | 1,350 HV | 11 W/m·K |
PC-CERThis page Transparent polycrystalline YAG ceramic | Pick for large-aperture, composite or gradient-doped gain media and windows that cannot be grown as a single boule. | — | 190 | 0 | 1,400 HV | 10 W/m·K |
What is YAG PC-CER?
YAG PC-CER is YAG in the PC-CER grade — pick for large-aperture, composite or gradient-doped gain media and windows that cannot be grown as a single boule. YAG PC-CER has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 89% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 290 GPa (42.1 Msi). YAG PC-CER has a density of 4.55 g/cm³ (0.164 lb/in³), heavier than 80% of glass grades. It melts at 1,940°C (3,524 °F). SC-UND is the default condition FabDigit quotes; PC-CER is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 1,600°C (2,912 °F), better than 98% of glass grades
- Stiff — 290 GPa (42.1 Msi), better than 95% of glass grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 1.8 MPa·√m (1.64 ksi·√in), better than 95% of glass grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 92/100, better than 81% of glass grades
- Conducts heat well — 10 W/m·K (5.78 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of glass grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 150 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 100% of glass grades
- Difficult to machine — 4/100, worse than 95% of glass grades
- Heavy — 4.55 g/cm³ (0.164 lb/in³), worse than 80% of glass grades
YAG PC-CER properties
Typical room-temperature values for YAG PC-CER; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are YAG reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical5
YAG PC-CER has a density of 4.55 g/cm³ (0.164 lb/in³), heavier than 80% of glass grades. It melts at 1,940°C (3,524 °F).
Mechanical12
YAG PC-CER has a tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), stronger than 89% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 290 GPa (42.1 Msi).
Thermal5
YAG PC-CER is rated for continuous service to 1,600°C (2,912 °F). It conducts heat at 10 W/m·K (5.78 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 80% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 7.8 µm/m·K (4.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
YAG PC-CER has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (92/100), better than 81% of glass grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of YAG PC-CER takes about 2,000 MJ of energy and emits 150 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 10%.
Manufacturability2
YAG PC-CER's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 95% of glass grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with YAG PC-CER
Is YAG easy to machine?
No conventional machining — cut with diamond ID/wire saws, then diamond grind, lap and polish; avoid edge chipping with chamfers and bonded supports.
Can YAG be welded?
Not weldable; joined by optical contacting or thermal diffusion bonding of undoped-to-doped YAG, or by metallizing plus indium/AuSn soldering for mounts.
Can YAG be formed, bent or molded?
Shape is set by Czochralski growth orientation (usually <111>) or by pressing plus vacuum sintering for the transparent-ceramic route; no plastic forming.
What surface finishes work on YAG?
Superpolished to λ/10 and <1 Å rms, then ion-beam-sputtered AR/HR dielectric coatings; barrel of rods is fine-ground or Cr-doped/roughened for parasitic-mode suppression.
YAG 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ystoichiometric Y3Al5O12; equivalent to 57.1 wt% Y2O3 | 44.5 – 45.3 | 44.9 |
| Alequivalent to 42.9 wt% Al2O3 | 22.4 – 23 | 22.7 |
| dopant (Nd/Yb/Er/Ce/Cr)substitutes on the Y site in doped variants; 1 at.% Nd ≈ 0.72 wt% | 0 – 8 | 0 |
| Obalance oxygen | balance | — |
YAG PC-CER — frequently asked
What is YAG PC-CER used for?
YAG PC-CER is typically used for nd:YAG laser rods, solid-state laser windows, epitaxial substrates and IR optics. In short: standard solid-state laser host; service to 1600 °C; diamond processing only.
What is the tensile strength of YAG PC-CER?
YAG PC-CER has a typical tensile strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) — stronger than 89% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is YAG PC-CER easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 95% of glass grades). No conventional machining — cut with diamond ID/wire saws, then diamond grind, lap and polish; avoid edge chipping with chamfers and bonded supports.
Can YAG PC-CER be welded?
Not weldable; joined by optical contacting or thermal diffusion bonding of undoped-to-doped YAG, or by metallizing plus indium/AuSn soldering for mounts.
What surface finishes work on YAG PC-CER?
Superpolished to λ/10 and <1 Å rms, then ion-beam-sputtered AR/HR dielectric coatings; barrel of rods is fine-ground or Cr-doped/roughened for parasitic-mode suppression.
Can YAG PC-CER be formed, bent or molded?
Shape is set by Czochralski growth orientation (usually <111>) or by pressing plus vacuum sintering for the transparent-ceramic route; no plastic forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of YAG PC-CER?
YAG PC-CER is rated for continuous use to about 1,600°C (2,912 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Nd:YAG and undoped YAG laser crystal data — Northrop Grumman SYNOPTICS (2020)
- YAG (Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) optical material data — Crystran Ltd (2023)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Solid-State Laser Engineering — Springer (W. Koechner) (2006)
- Refractive index and Sellmeier data for Y3Al5O12 — refractiveindex.info compilation (2023)
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.