ZERODUR®

ZERODUR® glass-ceramic has been one of SCHOTT's most unique and extraordinary products for over 50 years. With an extremely low thermal expansion, it's essential for a large number of demanding high-tech applications requiring exceptional precision.

Highly accurate under extreme conditions

The extremely low thermal expansion of ZERODUR® glass-ceramic is homogenous throughout the entire bulk volume, which makes it ideal for a large range of applications involving precise positioning or imaging under changing temperature conditions.

Impressive machinability from small to large

Thanks to its extraordinary machining properties, ZERODUR® can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes, from tiny prisms to meter-sized mirror blanks. High degree light-weighting and surfaces optimized for bending strength are key areas of SCHOTT's expertise, which makes ZERODUR® ideal for space applications.

Low thermal expansion even in harsh environments

The inorganic, non-porous lithium aluminum silicon oxide glass-ceramic, ZERODUR® is characterized by its extremely low thermal expansion, which is homogeneous throughout the entire volume. Additionally, it possesses a very low rate of imperfections, high strength compared to other glass-ceramics and is transparent to visible light. Smooth surfaces with a roughness in the sub-nm range are also achievable.

Key Properties:

• Near-zero thermal expansion: The low net thermal expansion matches operating temperature ranges and achieves an accuracy of 0 ± 7 ppb/K.
• Highly homogeneous properties: The low CTE and material properties are homogeneous throughout the entire volume up to 4.25 m and beyond.
• Usable under extreme conditions: From earth to space, dry to humid, pressure cells to vacuum, ZERODUR® glass-ceramic withstands harsh conditions.
• CNC customized 3D shapes: From a few centimeters up to 4 meters, large sophisticated shapes are available in bulk or light-weighted configurations.
• Reliability: High bending strength and lifetime prediction enables impressive reliability.
• Low gas-permeability: Allows for long-term stability for He-Ne laser applications in ring laser gyroscopes.