Material Options to Substitute for Corning® Vycor® Glass
Invented by Corning in 1939, Corning® Vycor® Glass has been used in a wide range of applications over the years, from laboratory equipment to early spacecraft viewing ports.
A blend of 96% silica and 4% boron trioxide, Corning® Vycor® Glass is a high-temperature glass valued for its low coefficient of thermal expansion — 7.5 x 10-7/°C when measured between 0 °C (32 °F) and 300 °C (572 °F). It also features excellent thermal shock resistance and superior optical qualities.
Recently, however, Corning discontinued Corning® Vycor® Glass, and now companies across various industries are searching for reliable alternatives.
Quartz: A Viable Corning® Vycor® Glass Replacement
Among dozens of types of glass, quartz is one of the best replacements for Corning® Vycor® Glass. Extremely versatile, quartz — like Corning® Vycor® Glass — is a high-silica glass, as it’s produced from naturally occurring quartz, which is composed entirely of silica dioxide. Because quartz is naturally occurring, quartz glass may have residual levels of impurities, but these typically only affect ultraviolet transmission.
Like Corning® Vycor® Glass, quartz has superior optical properties and strong thermal performance variables, including high working and melting temperatures, thermal shock resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Quartz also exhibits strong resistance to corrosion caused by atmospheric gases, water, and acid, and has good electrical properties.
Versatile and reliable, quartz is an ideal Corning® Vycor® Glass replacement for any project that requires strong, high-performance glass.
Learn More
Although quartz is an excellent Corning® Vycor® Glass alternative for many applications, you may require a different material depending on the intended end use of the glass. Extreme applications, in particular, often necessitate a different Corning® Vycor® Glass substitute.
Founded nearly 100 years ago, Swift Glass Co. is an industry-leading manufacturer of fabricated glass parts. Over the decades, we’ve developed a wealth of expertise working with a variety of glasses, many of which are well suited for use as Corning® Vycor® Glass alternatives.
To learn more about glass materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, download our free eBook, “Creating Glass That Withstands Extreme Environments,” or contact the team today to discuss your specific needs.
