Know More About Sapphire Windows

What is Sapphire Windows

Sapphire windows are made of Sapphire, sapphire Al2O3 is one of the hardest minerals and optical materials on earth. It is a material with a special crystal structure, and its crystal constants are very close to those of diamond, so it has extremely high hardness and temperature resistance, and remains stable at high temperatures or in environments with strong acids and bases.

Sapphire can be used to make optical windows.

Sapphire windows are made from this uncoated material, which is then cut into sapphire rods, which are then sliced into thin slices, which are then ground, polished, and layered to the necessary specifications.

As sapphire glass has very good thermal properties, excellent electrical properties and dielectric properties, and anti-chemical corrosion, it has high temperature resistance, good thermal conductivity, high hardness, infrared transmission, and good chemical stability. Therefore, it is often used to replace other optical materials to make optical components and infrared transmissive optical windows, and is widely used in infrared and far-infrared military equipment.

Coated and uncoated

Depending on the application, sapphire can also be coated with certain materials and accessories to meet specific industrial needs, such as anti-reflective AR coatings for optical clarity in eyeglasses, telescopes, and microscopes.

The process of making the sapphire window is much more complex compared to traditional optical glass, but the benefits that sapphire brings are well worth the effort and time it takes to make it.

CLZ Optical Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of optical components through optical cold processing technology, and the sapphire window mentioned above is one of our main products. 

Why sapphire is widely used

Despite the complexity of making sapphire window pieces, sapphire has been popular for many years because of its outstanding durability, hardness, and versatility.

The high mechanical strength and extremely durable structural integrity of sapphire mean that these window sheets are ideally suited to high-voltage applications. They are also scratch-resistant, easy to sterilize, chemically inert, and less susceptible to chemical reactions at temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making them ideal for long-term use in a wide range of applications.

The material is second only to diamond in strength, and in most applications, sapphire is more scratch-resistant and durable than diamond. Sapphire is favored for its longevity and durability, especially in optical applications, as it outlasts fused silica and quartz and transmits from the ultraviolet to the mid-infrared. Sapphire glass can withstand temperatures as high as 3600 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an excellent viewing barrier for high-temperature applications such as furnaces and high-temperature equipment. 

How hard is the sapphire window?

In terms of hardness, sapphire is the second hardest mineral after diamond. It is used in a wide range of applications due to its scratch resistance and durability, but just how strong is a sapphire window?

Sapphire can withstand more pressure than quartz and also has higher clarity than these materials.

Sapphire can also be used for abrasives without compromising overall optical clarity due to optical filters, and it can be used in aerospace protective windows and vision systems.

Sapphire is robust and resistant to scratches, abrasions and high temperatures, even in chemical applications, which means that the material can last for many years without needing to be replaced. Because of these properties, many consider raw sapphire to be one of the most versatile and robust products for industrial use.

What are Sapphire Windows used for?

Sapphire window sheets are used in virtually every industrial application imaginable, each with different needs. Industry uses sapphire window sheets as components of tools and equipment and as safety equipment for employees.

This material may also be shaped for custom applications and gently curved to accommodate magnification and shape molding. Below is a list of some of the more popular everyday uses for Windows:

Commercial use: Aircraft laser optics

Commercial ovens and furnaces often require viewing ports, but traditional glass states are fragile and cannot withstand high-temperature applications. Sapphire is often used in these applications due to its amazing ability to withstand a wide range of temperatures (high and low). Sapphire is also used in laser optics, allowing ion lasers to pass through efficiently with minimal arc.

Sapphire is also used for custom lasers and drilling optics, high-voltage manufacturing, and worker safety shields. Sapphire's unique wear resistance, impact resistance, and heat resistance play a role in each of these applications

Military use: Submarine combat protection

The military is one of the most common areas in which sapphire glass is used, as no other industry requires the reliability and durability of a product as remarkable as the military.

Because sapphire maintains its critical properties even at high temperatures, impacts and pressures, and is highly resistant to wear and chemical corrosion, it is ideally suited for many military applications, from direct combat to surveillance.

For example, many military vehicles use these sapphire window sheets as transparent shielding protection windows instead of traditional vehicle glass. This includes airborne vehicles such as fighter jets and waterborne vehicles such as submarines, which rely on sapphire glass for its abrasion and pressure resistance.

Luxury and everyday items: camera lenses and glasses

One application of sapphire windows is one that people use every day of their lives, namely regular eyeglass lenses. These sapphire windows are usually coated with an AR coating to prevent glare caused by light reflecting off the surface of the optical window and to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. While only high-end eyewear uses sapphire for ultimate UV protection, it is still a common material.

Sapphire windows are also widely used in other non-industrial applications, such as smartphone screens and luxury watches. While these watches are expensive, they are also held to a higher standard.