Zerodur

Zerodur® is a microcrystalline glass-ceramic with an ultra-low thermal expansion coefficient, ideal for high-precision applications. Developed by Schott GmbH, it combines crystalline and glass phases for exceptional dimensional stability, even under temperature fluctuations. With minimal variations in mechanical and thermal properties and excellent transparency in the 400–2300 nm range, Zerodur® is free from detectable bubbles or impurities. It’s perfect for telescope mirrors, laser cavities, and optical substrates. Jundro Ceramics offers precision-machined Zerodur® products, ensuring optimal performance for research, space technology, and industrial applications.

Advantages

Supports High-precision machining.
Highly stable against temperature fluctuations.
High material homogeneity, purity, and structural uniformity for consistent performance.
Minimal deformation under load.
Exceptional resistance to chemicals, including acids and bases.
Outstanding vacuum compatibility.
Transparent across a wide wavelength range.
Extremely low thermal expansion coefficient: 0 ± 0.007 × 10⁻⁶/K.
Tolerates high operational temperatures.

Applications

Laser gyroscope mirrors, brackets, and components
Synchrotron X-ray mirrors
Interferometers, optical tables, and length measurement systems
Spectrometer optical components
Laser interferometers and planar wavefront sensors
Gravitational wave detectors
Optical components for satellites and astronomical telescopes (e.g., Hubble main mirror)
Ultra-precision optics and large telescope mirror substrates
X-ray telescope substrates
Ring laser gyroscope applications
Optical elements for space probes (e.g., comet probes)
Flat optics and optical flats
Low-expansion laser optics for space technology
Glass standards for high-precision optical measurement
Mechanical laser resonator parts
Fiber optic components and holders
Lightweight honeycomb satellite mirror mounts

Zerodur Properties

Performance Data Sheet of Low Thermal Expansion Microcrystalline Glass

Physical properties	ZERODUR^®	ZERODUR^® K20
Density ρ [g/cm³]	2.53	2.53
Poisson‘s ratio	0.24	0.25
CTE 25°C – 600°C	112 x 10-7/°C	62 x 10-7/°F
Knoop Hardness HK 0.1/20 (ISO9385)	620	620
Refractive index nd	1.5424	——
Abbe number vd	56.1	——
Thermal conductivity λ at 20°C [W/(m・K)]	1.46	1.63
Thermal diffusivity index a at 20°C[10^-6m²/s]	0.72	——
Heat capacity cp at 20°C[J/(g · K)]	0.80	0.90
Young’s modulus E at 20°C[GPa]-mean value	90.3	84.7
Internal transmittanceTi at 580 nm / 5 mm thickness	0.95	——
Internal transmittanceTi at 580 nm / 10 mm thickness	0.9	——
Stress optical coefficientK at λ = 589.3 nm [10^-6MPa^-1]	3	——
Electrical resistivityρ at 20°C [Ω · cm]	2.6 · 10¹³	——
Tk100 [°C], Temperature for ρ = 10⁸ [Ω · cm]	178	——

Note: This value is for reference only and may vary slightly depending on the batch conditions.

Chemical properties	ZERODUR^®	ZERODUR^® K20
Stain resistance	Class 0	——
Climate resistance	Class 1	——
Acid resistance class (ISO 8424)	1.0	——
Alkali resistance class (ISO 10629)	1.0	——
Hydrolytic resistance class (ISO 719)	HGB 1	——
Helium permeability at 20°C [Atoms/(cm · s · bar)]	1.6 · 1066	——
Helium permeability at 100°C [Atoms/(cm · s · bar)]	5.0 · 107	——
Helium permeability at 200°C [Atoms/(cm · s · bar)]	7.2 · 108	——

Thermal expansion	ZERODUR^®
CTE Grades	CTE (0°C; 50°C)*
ZERODUR^® Expansion Class 2	0 ± 0.100 ・ 10^-6/K
ZERODUR^® Expansion Class 1	0 ± 0.050 ・ 10^-6 /K
ZERODUR^® Expansion Class 0	0 ± 0.020 ・ 10^-6/K
ZERODUR^® Expansion Class 0 SPECIAL	0 ± 0.010 ・ 10^-6/K
ZERODUR^® Expansion Class 0 EXTREME	0 ± 0.007 ・ 10^-6/K
ZERODUR^® TAILORED	TAILORED ± 0.020・10^-6/K (± 0.010・10^-6/K upon request) Optimized for application temperaturea Zerodur ® is a glass material manufactured by Schott Company. The above data is from Schott Company for reference only.

ZERODUR K20, a high-temperature version of ZERODUR, has been optimized to withstand higher application temperatures.

Machining Zerodur

Precision components made from Zerodur are typically processed using diamond grinding techniques, followed by optical polishing with chemical-mechanical methods as needed. When machining Zerodur, it is crucial to select appropriate cutting tools, control cutting speeds, and carefully manage heat to avoid material damage. After machining, thorough inspection is essential to ensure that the parts’ surfaces are free from cracks or chipping. In some cases, ultra-precision polishing may be required to achieve the desired finish and performance standards.

Jundro Ceramics leverages years of expertise in precision machining to produce high-quality Zerodur components that consistently meet or exceed customer specifications, ensuring both everyday functionality and specialized performance. If you require precision Zerodur machining, our team of experts is ready to assist you with tailored solutions. Contact us today for your machining needs.

Zerodur Prototype Machining

Our video shows the process of using CNC to process Zerodur Prototype

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zerodur Glass-Ceramic?

Zerodur is a highly specialized glass-ceramic material known for its near-zero thermal expansion, making it ideal for precision optical and mechanical applications, such as telescopes and metrology equipment.

What are the main Applications of Zerodur?

Zerodur is commonly used in high-precision instruments, including telescopes, mirrors for scientific devices, laser optics, and semiconductor equipment, due to its exceptional dimensional stability and thermal properties.

How does Zerodur Glass-Ceramic differ from traditional ceramics?

Zerodur has a unique composition and structure that offers near-zero thermal expansion, unlike traditional ceramics that often experience significant dimensional changes with temperature fluctuations. This makes Zerodur ideal for applications requiring high stability.

Is Zerodur Glass-Ceramic resistant to thermal shock?

Yes, Zerodur has excellent resistance to thermal shock, which makes it suitable for high-temperature environments where rapid temperature changes may occur, without risking damage or distortion.

What industries use Zerodur Glass-Ceramic?

Zerodur is widely used in industries such as aerospace, optics, astronomy, and precision metrology, where high stability and thermal resistance are critical for the performance of equipment and instruments.

Can Zerodur be easily machined or processed?

Zerodur can be machined with high precision, but it requires specialized tools and techniques due to its hardness and brittleness. It is often processed using diamond cutting or grinding tools to achieve the desired shape and surface finish.