ZnSe CVD-MS
Grade
also Irtran-4
CVD-MS = multispectral / HIP-treated water-clear ZnSe
Pick when visible/NIR clarity and low scatter matter (0.4–14 µm multispectral windows, thermal imagers with visible channel); HIP coarsens grains so it is slightly weaker.
Values for the CVD-MS condition
Other ZnSe tempers and conditions
ZnSe is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at ZnSe.
- SC
- CVD-MS
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Single-crystal ZnSe | Used as substrate and host for Cr²⁺:ZnSe / Fe²⁺:ZnSe mid-IR lasers and for lowest-scatter research optics; anisotropic, cleaves on {110}, expensive in large sizes. | — | 42 | 0 | 95 HV | 19 W/m·K |
CVD-MSThis page Multispectral / HIP-treated water-clear ZnSe | Pick when visible/NIR clarity and low scatter matter (0.4–14 µm multispectral windows, thermal imagers with visible channel); HIP coarsens grains so it is slightly weaker. | — | 48 | 0 | 100 HV | 18 W/m·K |
What is ZnSe CVD-MS?
ZnSe CVD-MS is ZnSe in the CVD-MS grade — pick when visible/NIR clarity and low scatter matter (0.4–14 µm multispectral windows, thermal imagers with visible channel); HIP coarsens grains so it is slightly weaker. ZnSe CVD-MS has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 51% of glass grades. The elastic modulus is 67 GPa (9.72 Msi). ZnSe CVD-MS has a density of 5.27 g/cm³ (0.19 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of glass grades. It melts at 1,525°C (2,777 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 18 W/m·K (10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of glass grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 85% of glass grades
Limitations
- Heavy — 5.27 g/cm³ (0.19 lb/in³), worse than 90% of glass grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 83% of glass grades
- Low fracture toughness — 0.4 MPa·√m (0.364 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of glass grades
ZnSe CVD-MS properties
Typical room-temperature values for ZnSe CVD-MS; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ZnSe reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical5
ZnSe CVD-MS has a density of 5.27 g/cm³ (0.19 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of glass grades. It melts at 1,525°C (2,777 °F).
Mechanical10
ZnSe CVD-MS has a tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi), stronger than 51% of glass grades. The elastic modulus is 67 GPa (9.72 Msi).
Thermal5
ZnSe CVD-MS is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 18 W/m·K (10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 7.1 µm/m·K (3.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ZnSe CVD-MS has an electrical resistivity of 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 74% of glass grades.
Manufacturability2
ZnSe CVD-MS's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 85% of glass grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ZnSe CVD-MS
Is ZnSe easy to machine?
Grind/core with diamond tooling under flood coolant or single-point diamond turn with light depth of cut; brittle and prone to edge chipping, and all dust/swarf is toxic (Se) so wet cutting with sealed extraction is mandatory.
Can ZnSe be welded?
Not weldable — a brittle ceramic; join only by optical contacting, epoxy bonding or mechanical mounting in compliant (RTV/retaining-ring) cells to avoid mount stress.
Can ZnSe be formed, bent or molded?
Formed to net shape by CVD deposition on mandrels, then HIP for multispectral grade; no plastic forming is possible, curved optics are generated and polished from blanks.
What surface finishes work on ZnSe?
Pitch or polyurethane polish to <10 Å rms, then AR coat (ThF₄/YbF₃ or ZnS/YF₃ stacks) or DLC-protect the exposed face; keep bare surfaces dry and handle with gloves — hygroscopic-free but easily scratched.
ZnSe 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Znstoichiometric ZnSe, 1:1 molar | 45 – 45.6 | 45.3 |
| impurities (C, Si, Fe, Cu, O)total metallic + carbon impurities in optical grade; low absorption depends on ppm-level control | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Se | ≥ 54.4 (balance) | — |
ZnSe CVD-MS — frequently asked
What is ZnSe CVD-MS used for?
ZnSe CVD-MS is typically used for CO2 laser lenses/windows, IR camera lenses and multispectral optics. In short: standard CO2 laser optic; low 10.6 µm absorption; brittle, selenium-bearing dust.
What is the tensile strength of ZnSe CVD-MS?
ZnSe CVD-MS has a typical tensile strength of 48 MPa (6.96 ksi) — stronger than 51% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is ZnSe CVD-MS easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 85% of glass grades). Grind/core with diamond tooling under flood coolant or single-point diamond turn with light depth of cut; brittle and prone to edge chipping, and all dust/swarf is toxic (Se) so wet cutting with sealed extraction is mandatory.
Can ZnSe CVD-MS be welded?
Not weldable — a brittle ceramic; join only by optical contacting, epoxy bonding or mechanical mounting in compliant (RTV/retaining-ring) cells to avoid mount stress.
What surface finishes work on ZnSe CVD-MS?
Pitch or polyurethane polish to <10 Å rms, then AR coat (ThF₄/YbF₃ or ZnS/YF₃ stacks) or DLC-protect the exposed face; keep bare surfaces dry and handle with gloves — hygroscopic-free but easily scratched.
Can ZnSe CVD-MS be formed, bent or molded?
Formed to net shape by CVD deposition on mandrels, then HIP for multispectral grade; no plastic forming is possible, curved optics are generated and polished from blanks.
What is the maximum service temperature of ZnSe CVD-MS?
ZnSe CVD-MS is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- CVD ZnSe optical material datasheet — II-VI / Coherent (2022)
- Cleartran multispectral ZnSe properties — Dow / II-VI (2019)
- Handbook of Optical Constants of Solids — Academic Press (Palik, ed.) (1998)
- Handbook of Optical Materials — CRC Press (Weber) (2003)
- IR window and lens material property tables — Thorlabs / Edmund Optics technical notes (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.