Fused Silica vs Borosilicate Glass: High-Temperature & UV Performance Guide
Fused Silica vs Borosilicate Glass: High-Temperature & UV Performance Guide
Fused silica (quartz glass) and borosilicate glass are two widely used high-performance glass materials for industrial, optical, laboratory and high-temperature equipment. They differ greatly in spectral transmission, heat resistance, chemical stability, mechanical properties and cost.
Selecting the wrong material will result in insufficient UV transmittance, breakage under thermal shock, or shortened service life in corrosive environments. This comprehensive guide compares their core performances, applicable scenarios, limitations and selection principles, helping engineers and buyers make accurate decisions.
Reviewed by: Senior Optical & Materials Engineer
Last Updated: June 2026
1. Core Parameter Comparison
| Parameter | Fused Silica (Quartz Glass) | Borosilicate Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Range | 185 nm – 2.5 μm | 300 nm – 2.5 μm |
| UV Performance | Excellent, supports deep ultraviolet | Poor, blocks most UV light below 300 nm |
| Maximum Working Temperature | Up to 1100°C | Up to 450°C |
| Thermal Shock Resistance | Outstanding | Good |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | Extremely low | Low |
| Chemical Resistance | Excellent against acid, alkali and corrosive gas | Good acid resistance, weak against strong alkali |
| Bubble & Inclusion Control | Ultra-clean for optical grade | Standard industrial level |
| Relative Cost | High | Economical |
Core Summary
- Fused Silica: Professional optical & high-temperature material, prioritizes UV transmission and extreme heat resistance.
- Borosilicate Glass: Cost-effective general-purpose high-temperature glass, ideal for conventional laboratory and industrial scenarios without UV requirements.
2. Spectral & Optical Performance
Fused Silica (Quartz Glass)
- Fully transmits deep UV, near UV, visible light and near infrared bands.
- Uniform optical performance, low light scattering, suitable for optical lenses, windows and UV light transmission components.
- Supports various anti-reflection coatings for optical system optimization.
Borosilicate Glass
- Almost no transmission for ultraviolet light below 300 nm, cannot be used for UV optical systems.
- Stable transmission in visible and near-infrared bands, meets basic lighting and observation needs.
- Not recommended for high-precision optical components due to higher internal impurities.
3. Thermal Performance
Fused Silica
- Ultra-low thermal expansion coefficient, will not crack sharply under rapid temperature rise or drop.
- Long-term stable operation under high temperature, widely used in industrial furnaces, heating tubes and thermal processing equipment.
- Maintains physical and optical properties without deformation in high-temperature environments.
Borosilicate Glass
- Better heat resistance than ordinary soda-lime glass, but far inferior to fused silica.
- Prone to cracking when facing drastic temperature changes or continuous high temperature above 450°C.
- Suitable for moderate temperature working conditions only.
4. Chemical & Environmental Stability
Fused Silica
- Inert material, resistant to most strong acids, organic solvents and corrosive gases.
- Works reliably in harsh chemical environments such as semiconductor workshops and chemical laboratories.
Borosilicate Glass
- Excellent resistance to common acids, widely used for laboratory beakers, test tubes and containers.
- Vulnerable to erosion by strong alkali and high-temperature steam, not applicable for long-term use in strong alkaline environments.
5. Typical Application Scenarios
Choose Fused Silica (Quartz Glass) If You Have:
- UV curing, UV sterilization, deep UV optical detection and spectroscopy systems
- High-temperature furnaces, thermal processing equipment and high-temperature pipeline components
- Semiconductor manufacturing, photolithography and wafer inspection equipment
- High-precision optical windows, lenses and optical assemblies
- Working environments with frequent temperature changes and corrosive media
Choose Borosilicate Glass If You Have:
- Conventional laboratory glassware and experimental containers
- General industrial observation windows without UV requirements
- Low and medium temperature heating equipment below 450°C
- Civil appliances and ordinary industrial glass parts with cost control requirements
6. Common Selection Errors & Solutions
Error 1: Use borosilicate glass for UV equipment
Problem: UV light is completely blocked, resulting in equipment failure.
Solution: Replace with fused silica quartz glass for all UV-related applications.
Error 2: Use borosilicate glass for long-term high-temperature furnaces
Problem: Thermal deformation and sudden breakage, causing safety risks.
Solution: Adopt high-temperature resistant fused silica components.
Error 3: Use high-grade fused silica for ordinary laboratory containers
Problem: Excessively high procurement cost without performance improvement.
Solution: Select cost-effective borosilicate glass.
7. Custom Solutions from Felix Glass
We supply both fused silica quartz glass and borosilicate glass products with full customization services:
- Fused silica tubes, plates, optical windows, lenses and UV optical components
- Borosilicate glass sheets, tubes and standard industrial glass parts
- Precision cutting, edge grinding, polishing and special shape processing
- Small batch trial order and mass production supported
8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can borosilicate glass replace quartz glass?
A: No. Borosilicate cannot transmit UV light and has poor high-temperature resistance. It can only replace quartz glass in non-UV, medium-temperature conventional scenarios.
Q: Which material is more durable?
A: Fused silica has better overall durability, especially under high temperature, thermal shock and chemical corrosion.
Q: Is quartz glass always better?
A: Not exactly. Borosilicate is more cost-effective for ordinary use. Choose according to actual working conditions and budget.
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Related Products
- Quartz Glass Tubes
- Quartz Glass Plates
- UV Quartz Optics
- Industrial Borosilicate Glass Components
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