Product Introduction
Polished sapphire tubes are high-performance components made from single-crystal aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), renowned for their exceptional hardness, optical clarity, and resistance to extreme temperatures and chemical environments. These tubes are widely used in demanding applications such as optical protection sleeves, high-temperature reactors, vacuum systems, and fluid transport in harsh conditions. With excellent light transmission from ultraviolet to infrared and superior structural integrity, sapphire tubes provide long-term reliability far beyond that of glass or quartz.

Material Properties

• Crystal Type: Single-crystal Al₂O₃ (Sapphire)

• Hardness: 9 on Mohs scale, second only to diamond

• Transmission Range: 190 nm to 5 μm (UV to IR)

• Melting Point: ~2050°C

• Thermal Stability: Suitable for continuous use above 1600°C

• Chemical Resistance: Inert to most acids, alkalis, and solvents

Processing & Manufacturing Methods
We offer sapphire tubes manufactured by both EFG (Edge-defined Film-fed Growth) and Kyropoulos (Ky) methods, depending on customer needs:

• EFG-grown tubes are formed directly in a tubular shape during crystal growth. This method enables the efficient production of long, seamless sapphire tubes with minimal material loss and fewer machining steps. It is ideal for mass production and cost-effective solutions with stable geometries.

• Kyropoulos-grown tubes, on the other hand, are cut and drilled from bulk sapphire boules. Though more material-intensive, this method offers superior crystal uniformity and lower internal stress, making it suitable for high-precision optical or structural applications requiring tighter tolerances.

Both types of tubes are finished with high-precision polishing to achieve optical-grade surfaces with excellent flatness and minimal surface roughness, ensuring optimal performance in optical, mechanical, or thermal systems.

Key Features

• High optical clarity and broadband transmission

• Excellent hardness and wear resistance

• Suitable for high vacuum and high-pressure environments

• Customizable dimensions and crystal orientation

• Polished surfaces with Ra < 10 nm

• Available in both EFG and Ky growth types

Common Applications

• Optical and laser protection sleeves

• High-temperature furnace tubes

• Semiconductor equipment components

• Medical and scientific instrumentation

• Aerospace and defense viewing windows

• UV and IR spectroscopy systems

Typical Specifications

Q1: What’s the difference between EFG and Ky sapphire tubes?
EFG tubes are grown directly into tubular shapes, offering cost efficiency and long lengths. Ky tubes are machined from boules, offering better crystal consistency and are preferred for precision-demanding applications.

Q2: Can I choose the growth method based on my application?
Yes. If your priority is long, uniform tubes for structural or industrial use, EFG is often more suitable. If high optical quality and lower stress are critical, Ky method may be preferred.

Q3: Are the tubes customizable?
Absolutely. We support custom orders in size, wall thickness, length, crystal orientation, and surface polish.

Q4: What polishing quality do you offer?
We provide optical-grade polishing, with surface roughness typically below 10 nanometers (Ra < 10 nm), ensuring minimal scattering and high transmission.