Description
Quartz balls are specified by diameter and tolerance grade — the precision you need depends entirely on the application, from loose filtration media at ±0.25 mm to precision optical/instrumentation spheres at ±0.005 mm or tighter.
Dimensions
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Standard Diameter | 3 – 15 mm (stocked increments) |
| Custom Diameter | 2 – 50 mm or more |
| Minimum Custom Diameter | 2–3 mm generally; smaller available on special request |
Tolerance Grades
| Grade | Diameter Tolerance | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / General Purpose | ±0.25 mm | Filtration media, general fill |
| Precision | ±0.02 mm | Instrumentation, general precision applications |
| High Precision | ±0.01 mm | Critical instrumentation or optics |
| Ultra-Precision | ±0.005 mm or better | Optics, metrology-grade reference use |
Confirm the tolerance grade you need against your application — filtration media does not need optical-grade sphericity, and specifying tighter than necessary adds cost without benefit.
Production Method
- Starting material: quartz rod, OD 1–2 mm larger than the target ball diameter.
- Rough grinding: cut and ground into approximate spherical shape.
- Fine grinding: precision abrasive tooling brings the ball to final diameter, leaving a frosted surface.
- Fire polishing: oxyhydrogen flame polish in batches, with continuous ball movement for uniform finish.
Application
- Filtration media — quartz’s acid/alkali resistance makes it suitable for filtering strong acidic and alkaline solutions.
- Instrumentation — precision spheres for calibration, positioning, or reference use.
- Optical/general industrial — where high-temperature resistance (working temperature up to 1750°C) or chemical inertness is required.
Material
High-purity fused quartz, SiO₂ >99.99%.
What to Specify
| Parameter | Quotation Input |
|---|---|
| Diameter | Nominal ball diameter and quantity |
| Tolerance Grade | ±0.25 / ±0.02 / ±0.01 / ±0.005 mm or required custom tolerance |
| Surface | Ground, fire-polished, or application-specific finish |
| Application | Filtration, optical, instrumentation, metrology or industrial use |
FAQ
What’s the smallest quartz ball diameter available?
2–3 mm is the general minimum for standard production; smaller diameters can be custom-ordered depending on your precision requirement.
Do you need optical-grade tolerance for filtration media use?
No — filtration media typically uses standard tolerance (±0.25 mm or looser); reserve tighter tolerance grades for instrumentation or optical applications where it actually matters.
How is the surface finish achieved after grinding?
Fire polishing with an oxyhydrogen flame, with the ball kept in continuous movement during the process to achieve uniform polish across the sphere.