Borofloat 33 Glass Wafers for Microfluidics – Borofloat 33 (CTE 3.25 x 10^-6 /K, 350 nm – 2.0 um). No minimum order; DFM review included with every RFQ.
borofloat 33 glass wafers for microfluidics programs need optically clear, low-autofluorescence channel plates. Borofloat 33 is the fit here because it offers float-glass flatness off the line. Typical parts: chips, manifolds, via plates, bonded stacks.
Specifications at a glance
| Material | Borofloat 33 (SCHOTT float production, wafer grade) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 3.25 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 450 C continuous |
| Transmission range | 350 nm – 2.0 um |
| Density | 2.23 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 480 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.471 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.70 – 25.4 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 500 x 500 mm |
| Wafer formats | 2", 3", 4", 6", 8" and 12" with SEMI flats or notch |
| TTV | under 3 – 5 um by format |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Manufacturing capability
One material, many routes: on Borofloat 33 we also quote lapping, dicing, double-side polishing, edge grinding, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.
DFM notes from the shop floor
The shop-floor rules that matter here:
- Material note: float tin side must be tracked when parts see coating or bonding steps.
- 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.
Typical applications
borofloat 33 glass wafers for microfluidics shows up across led packaging (groove covers, phosphor carriers, package windows); optical sensors (sensor windows, filter caps, lens covers); microfluidic devices (chips, manifolds, via plates, bonded stacks). Background reading on the underlying material science: SCHOTT BOROFLOAT product page.
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: 4 inch Borofloat wafers, wafer dicing process, high-purity quartz guide.
Frequently asked questions
What files do you need for a quote?
A dimensioned PDF plus DXF or STEP geometry. If only a sketch exists, our drawing review service formalizes it before quoting.
Do parts ship with inspection data?
Dimensional reports, surface certificates and material certs per melt are available; specify the level on the RFQ.
What tolerances are achievable on Borofloat 33 parts?
Ground features hold +/-0.01 mm and lapped thickness reaches +/-0.003 mm. Float tin side must be tracked when parts see coating or bonding steps.
What thickness range do you stock for Borofloat 33?
Standard stock spans 0.70 – 25.4 mm, with blanks up to 500 x 500 mm. Other formats are sourced per order.
How does Borofloat 33 behave under heat?
CTE is 3.25 x 10^-6 /K and continuous service reaches 450 C continuous, which is what drives its use where float-glass flatness off the line matters.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in October 2026.