Metallization Alkali-Free Glass: Alkali-Free Glass (CTE 3.2 x 10^-6 /K, 350 nm – 2.0 um); films 50 nm – 2 um, patterned to 10 um lines. Single-piece prototypes to production volumes, quoted from your drawing.
The point of metallization alkali-free glass is simple: solderable pads, mirrors and electrodes on glass. We deposit it by sputter + lift-off or shadow mask onto Alkali-Free Glass and verify films 50 nm – 2 um, patterned to 10 um lines on every lot.
Key parameters
| 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 |
| Treatment | Metallization – Cr/Au, Ti/Pt or Al thin films |
| Specification | films 50 nm – 2 um, patterned to 10 um lines |
| Deposition / method | sputter + lift-off or shadow mask |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
DFM notes from the shop floor
The shop-floor rules that matter here:
- Material note: thin sheets below 0.3 mm demand carrier-supported handling through every step.
- Sequence matters: all machining happens before metallization; post-coating rework is not economical.
- 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.
What the process holds
Beyond this page, Alkali-Free Glass routinely runs through cnc machining, edge grinding, double-side polishing, grinding in our shop – most real parts combine two or three of these steps.
Application context
The recurring buyers of metallization alkali-free glass: industrial displays (touch covers, gauge windows, printed bezels); ccd inspection equipment (CCD cover plates, reference grids, stage glass); oled packaging (cover lids, frit-seal frames, fill-port plates). 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, alkali-free glass wafers, fused silica wafers 2-12 inch.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for metallization alkali-free glass?
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.
What tolerances are achievable on Alkali-Free Glass parts?
Ground features hold +/-0.01 mm and lapped thickness reaches +/-0.003 mm. Thin sheets below 0.3 mm demand carrier-supported handling through every step.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in September 2026.