Alkali-Free Glass for MEMS Devices: Alkali-Free Glass (CTE 3.2 x 10^-6 /K, 350 nm – 2.0 um). Single-piece prototypes to production volumes, quoted from your drawing.
What alkali-free glass for mems devices actually buys from a glass shop: cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids. The requirement underneath is anodic-bondable wafers with tight TTV. Alkali-Free Glass is the fit here because it offers no alkali ion migration into TFT or sensor layers.
The numbers
| Material | Alkali-Free Glass (AF32 / EAGLE-class display glass) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 3.2 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 600 C (Tg 717 C) |
| Transmission range | 350 nm – 2.0 um |
| Density | 2.43 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 590 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.51 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.10 – 1.1 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 400 x 300 mm |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Design guidance
Three items decide most of the cost and lead time on this work:
- Material note: thin sheets below 0.3 mm demand carrier-supported handling through every step.
- Over-specification is the quiet budget killer: a 20/10 scratch-dig face costs roughly three times an 80/50 face, so grade each surface individually.
The full rules live in our tolerance design guide and holes and edges design guide.
Manufacturing capability
One material, many routes: on Alkali-Free Glass we also quote etching, cnc machining, drilling, double-side polishing, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.
Who orders this
Orders for alkali-free glass for mems devices cluster in ccd inspection equipment (CCD cover plates, reference grids, stage glass); mems devices (cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids); industrial displays (touch covers, gauge windows, printed bezels). Background reading on the underlying material science: SCHOTT AF 32 eco.
The fastest route to a quote is geometry: use the 3D builder below, draw a dimensioned 2D drawing from it, or open the site-wide custom glass machining 3D + 2D builder for fully custom parts.
Related reading on this site: alkali-free display glass, glass hole micromachining, infrared windows.
Buyer questions, answered
How does Alkali-Free Glass behave under heat?
CTE is 3.2 x 10^-6 /K and continuous service reaches 600 C (Tg 717 C), which is what drives its use where no alkali ion migration into TFT or sensor layers matters.
What do mems devices programs usually order?
Cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids. Typical spec: TTV < 3 um, bow < 20 um, SEMI flats.
Is there a minimum order for alkali-free glass for mems devices?
No. Single prototypes are accepted, and pricing steps down at 10, 100 and 1,000 pieces.
How fast can prototypes ship?
Machined prototypes ship in 5 – 10 working days. Coated or bonded parts add 1 – 2 weeks depending on queue slots.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in August 2026.