Sapphire is a single crystal aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ). It is one of the hardest materials. sapphire has good transmission characteristics over the visible, and near IR spectrum. It exhibits high mechanical strength, chemical resistance, thermal conductivity and thermal stability. It is often used as window materials in specific field such as space technology where scratch or high temperature resistance is required.
Physical Properties
Crystal Symmetry Hexagonal | System | |
Lattice constant | A | a =4.75 ; c =12.97 |
Transparence range | μm | 0.18- 4.5 |
Density | g/cm 3 | 3.98 |
Mohs hardness | 9 | |
Melting point | ℃ | 2030 |
Thermal conductivity | W/m/K | 0.04 |
Expansion coefficien | 10 -6 /K | 8.4 |
Refractive Index | 1.0 m m | 1.755 |