Sapphire glass is a high-performance material synthesized artificially, mainly used in industrial and technological fields. Its unique properties and wide range of applications make it an important role in modern technology and manufacturing. This article will explore the special properties, preparation processes, and how the selection and ratio of different elements (such as silicon, boron, aluminum, etc.) determine the properties and characteristics of sapphire glass.

1、 Special properties of sapphire glass

Sapphire glass is a special type of glass with high transparency, hardness, and strength. Its notable features include high hardness, wear resistance, and transparency, which make it an important material in applications that require high-performance materials.

1. Hardness and Wear Resistance: Sapphire has a Mohs hardness of 9, which makes it very durable in various high wear applications, suitable for occasions that require high wear resistance, such as smartphone screens and watch surfaces. High hardness not only means it can effectively resist scratches and wear, but also gives it high scratch resistance.

2. Transparency: Sapphire glass has high transparency in the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges. This makes it perform well in optical applications, such as in high-precision optical devices and high-resolution displays. High transparency ensures low loss of optical signals during transmission, improving the performance of the equipment.

3. Thermal characteristics and chemical stability: Sapphire glass has a very low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means its size remains stable under temperature changes, making it very important in precision optics and electronic devices. In addition, it has strong corrosion resistance to most acids and bases, and can maintain its structure and performance stability for a long time in strong acid environments such as concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid. This chemical corrosion resistance makes it widely used in the chemical, medical, and aerospace fields.

2、 Preparation process and element selection

Sapphire glass is a single crystal material formed by the crystallization of high-purity alumina (Al ? O3) at high temperatures, and its preparation process mainly includes two methods: solution method and gas-phase method.

1. Solution method: Aluminum oxide and aluminum oxide crystals are added to a glass melt and prepared at high temperature and high pressure. This method allows for optimizing the performance of sapphire glass by adjusting the ratio of alumina and other additives. For example, the addition of silicon (Si) and boron (B) can affect the melting point and thermal expansion coefficient of glass, while the content of aluminum (Al) directly affects its hardness and wear resistance.

2. Gas phase method: Deposition of oxides and other substances produced by vapor and gas phase cracking of alumina on the substrate surface to form a thin film or crystal, followed by subsequent processing. The gas-phase method can accurately control the thickness and composition of thin films, and is suitable for manufacturing high-precision optical components and electronic devices. By adjusting the parameters during the vapor deposition process, the microstructure and properties of sapphire glass can be precisely controlled.

3、 Element selection and performance optimization

The performance and characteristics of sapphire glass largely depend on the selection and ratio of elements such as silicon, boron, and aluminum in the raw materials.

1. Aluminum (Al): As the main component of sapphire glass, the content of aluminum directly affects its hardness and wear resistance. Sapphire glass with high aluminum content has higher hardness and better wear resistance, but it may also lead to increased processing difficulty. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the relationship between hardness and processability during the preparation process.

2. Silicon (Si): The addition of silicon can lower the melting point of sapphire glass and improve its processing performance. Meanwhile, silicon can also affect the thermal expansion coefficient and transparency of glass, and adding an appropriate amount of silicon can help improve transparency and thermal stability.

3. Boron (B): The addition of boron can further adjust the properties of sapphire glass. Boron can reduce the viscosity of glass, promote fluidity and uniformity during the melting process. In addition, boron can also improve the corrosion resistance of glass, keeping it stable in harsh environments.

In addition to elements such as silicon, boron, and aluminum, other additives such as zirconium (Zr) and titanium (Ti) can also be used to optimize the properties of sapphire glass. For example, the addition of zirconium can improve the thermal shock resistance of glass, while titanium can enhance its optical properties.

Sapphire glass is a material with special properties and wide applications. Its high hardness, wear resistance, and transparency make it widely used in various fields. The selection and ratio of elements such as silicon, boron, and aluminum are crucial for optimizing the performance of sapphire glass. By adjusting the raw material ratio and preparation process, the microstructure and properties can be precisely controlled to meet the needs of different application fields.