Description
This page covers quartz tube selected for light-transmission and appearance properties rather than clarity — opaque or milky for thermal shielding, colored for spectral filtering, and translucent grades for diffuse-light or IR-heating functions.
Opaque / Milky Tubes
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| OD range | 1 – 200 mm (custom, supplier-stated range) |
| Base material | SiO₂ ≥99.95–99.99% purity, high bubble content by design |
| Long-wave IR transmittance | >70% (self-absorbs IR below 4 µm, radiating it as heat) |
| Emissivity | >90% in the 5–13 µm far-infrared band |
| Continuous operating temperature | Up to 1050 – 1100°C; short-term to 1300 – 1450°C; up to 1600°C cited for double-open-end configuration |
| Thermal shock | 900°C to 0°C water-transfer resistance is cited for repeated-cycle use |
Colored Tubes
| Color | Optical Function | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Red / pink / wine-red / dark-red | Blocks UV and part of visible light; passes infrared | Far-infrared heaters, disinfection cabinets, microwave ovens, automotive paint baking |
| Yellow (light / dark) | Filters UV in visible-light use and avoids color-center distortion | Applications sensitive to UV-induced material color shift |
| Blue | Trace-element doped for color | Specialty lighting / appearance use |
| Black / gray | Trace-element doped for color | Specialty appearance / light-blocking use |
Color is produced by adding trace elements during fusion; the color runs through the tube wall rather than being a surface coating.
Translucent Grades
| Grade | Character | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared translucent | Slight milky color | Infrared and semiconductor applications |
| Frosted translucent | Acid-etched, milky | Mainly halogen lamp applications |
| Semi-transparent | Allows light through with a glow effect | Decorative / lighting fixtures |
Dimensions
Colored and translucent grades follow the general Quartz Glass Tubes dimensional system, while opaque grade has a cited supplier range of OD 1–200 mm. Availability varies with opacity, color and manufacturing route.
Curvature & Straightness — Opaque Tube
- Length deviation: 0–5 mm.
- Curvature: ≤0.15% of tube length under 1 m.
- Curvature: ≤0.2% of tube length at 1 m or longer.
FAQ
What color should I choose for an IR heating application?
Red, pink and wine-red grades are cited for far-infrared heating because they block UV and part of the visible range while passing infrared.
What’s the difference between opaque and translucent grades?
Opaque or milky grades block most direct light and rely on a bubble-bearing structure for scattering and thermal behavior. Translucent grades allow some light through with a diffuse appearance.
Are colored tubes made by coating?
No. The source material describes color as being produced by trace-element addition during fusion, so the color is within the tube wall rather than applied as a surface coating.