Quick answer: Fused Silica for Medical Diagnostics covers Fused Silica (CTE 0.55 x 10^-6 /K, 185 nm – 2.5 um). Prototypes ship in 5-10 working days.
fused silica for medical diagnostics programs need biocompatible, autoclavable optical components. Fused Silica is the fit here because it offers near-zero thermal expansion. Typical parts: flow cells, slides, microplate bottoms, cuvette windows.
Specifications at a glance
| Material | Fused Silica (JGS1 (UV), JGS2 (standard), JGS3 (IR)) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 0.55 x 10^-6 /K |
| Service temperature | 1,100 C continuous |
| Transmission range | 185 nm – 2.5 um |
| Density | 2.20 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | 500 kg/mm2 |
| Refractive index | 1.458 @ 587 nm |
| Stock thickness | 0.10 – 50 mm |
| Maximum blank size | 450 x 450 mm |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
Capabilities and limits
One material, many routes: on Fused Silica we also quote cnc machining, etching, laser cutting, coring, and multi-step drawings are the norm rather than the exception.
DFM notes from the shop floor
Three items decide most of the cost and lead time on this work:
- Material note: its hardness and brittleness demand diamond tooling and controlled feeds.
- 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.
Where these parts end up
Orders for fused silica for medical diagnostics cluster in scientific instruments (reference flats, cells, prism mounts, stage inserts); microfluidic devices (chips, manifolds, via plates, bonded stacks); aerospace optics (sensor windows, star-tracker flats, radiation-tolerant ports). Background reading on the underlying material science: RP Photonics: fused silica.
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: CNC machining capability, fused silica wafer applications, microfluidic glass applications.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for fused silica for medical diagnostics?
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.
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.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in September 2026.