Product Description
Unpolished sapphire spacers are precision-engineered support components manufactured from synthetic single-crystal sapphire (Al2O3 ≥ 99.99% purity). These components are primarily used as mechanical positioning, spacing, and load-bearing parts, rather than optical transmission elements.
Unlike polished sapphire windows or lenses, these spacers retain a ground or lapped raw surface, significantly reducing processing cost while maintaining sapphire’s superior mechanical, thermal, and chemical performance. They are widely adopted in semiconductor manufacturing systems, vacuum equipment, high-temperature tooling, and precision industrial assemblies.
Material Advantages
Sapphire is one of the hardest and most chemically stable engineering materials available for industrial applications. Compared with glass, quartz, and technical ceramics, sapphire offers a unique combination of strength, stability, and durability.
- Extreme Hardness – Mohs hardness level 9, second only to diamond
- Outstanding Wear Resistance – long service life under friction and repeated loading
- High Temperature Capability – continuous use up to 1600°C
- Excellent Chemical Inertness – resistant to acids, alkalis, plasma, and solvents
- Low Thermal Expansion – ensures dimensional stability under thermal cycling
- Non-porous & Non-outgassing – suitable for high and ultra-high vacuum systems
Unpolished Surface Characteristics
Unpolished sapphire spacers are processed with grinding or lapping instead of optical polishing, resulting in:
- Functional, non-optical surface finish
- Lower manufacturing cost compared to mirror-polished parts
- Improved friction control for mechanical contact applications
- Reliable flatness for spacing and stacking structures
This surface condition makes them ideal for structural support, height control, isolation, and mechanical positioning.
Manufacturing Capabilities
We offer full custom machining based on client drawings and application requirements:
- Precision slicing from sapphire boules
- CNC grinding and profiling
- Inner and outer diameter machining
- Step structures, grooves, slots, and special contours
- Optional chamfering, edge rounding, and beveled edges
- Ultrasonic cleaning and 100% dimensional inspection
Both single-side and double-side unpolished finishes are available based on functional needs.
Customization Range
- Shape Options: Round disc, ring, square, rectangular, slotted, stepped, or complex custom geometry
- Outer Diameter: 1 mm – 200 mm
- Thickness: 0.1 mm – 20 mm
- Inner Hole: Custom diameter or blind hole
- Surface Type: Ground / lapped / semi-finished
- Orientation: C-plane standard, A-plane & R-plane optional
- Dimensional Tolerance: ±0.02 mm to ±0.1 mm depending on size
Typical Application Areas
- Semiconductor Processing Equipment
Spacing components for wafer carriers, etching chambers, and thermal process tools. - Vacuum & Plasma Systems
Structural spacers with low outgassing and high plasma resistance. - Precision Mechanical Assemblies
Height control shims, alignment spacers, and vibration-resistant supports. - High-Temperature Fixtures & Jigs
Support elements in furnaces and thermal treatment systems. - Chemical Processing Equipment
Corrosion-resistant spacers for aggressive environments.
Quality Control
Each unpolished sapphire spacer undergoes:
- Raw material purity verification
- Dimensional inspection (OD, ID, thickness, flatness)
- Edge and surface defect inspection
- Cleaning and anti-contamination packaging
FAQ
Q1: Are unpolished sapphire spacers suitable for optical use?
A: No. These components are intended for mechanical and structural use, not for optical transmission.
Q2: Can you produce extremely thin sapphire shims?
A: Yes, thickness down to 0.1 mm is feasible depending on size and shape.
Q3: Will unpolished surfaces affect assembly accuracy?
A: No. Flatness and thickness are still precision controlled; only surface roughness differs from polished parts.
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