5  Chemical properties

5.2 Acid resistance

Acid resistance according to ISO 8424 classifies the behavior

of glass surfaces that come into contact with large quantities
of acidic solutions (practical examples: perspiration, laminating
substances, carbonated water, etc.). Acid resistance is denoted
by a two or three digit number. The first or the first two digits
indicate the acid resistance class SR. The last digit (separated by
a decimal point) denotes the change in the surface visible to the
unaided eye that occurs through exposure (see Section 5.4).

The time t required to dissolve a layer with a thickness of 0.1 μm

serves as a measure of acid resistance. Two aggressive solutions
are used in determining acid resistance. A strong acid (nitric
acid, c = 0.5 mol/l, pH 0.3) at 25 °C is used for the more resistant
glass types. For glasses with less acid resistance, a weak acidic
solution with a pH value of 4.6 (standard acetate) is used, also
at 25 °C. Class SR 5 forms the transition point between the two
groups. It includes glasses for which the time for removal of
a layer thickness of 0.1 μm at a pH value of 0.3 is less than
0.1 hour, and at a pH value of 4.6 is greater than 10 hours.
CNC machined filter glass

39
 Acid Resistance Classes SR 1 2 3 4 5 51 52 53

pH value 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 | 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.6

Time (h) > 100 10 – 100 1 – 10 0.1 – 1 < 0.1 | > 10 1 – 10 0.1 – 1 < 0.1

Table 5.2
Classification of optical filter glasses into acid resistance classes SR 1– 53 (ISO 8424).

5.3 Alkali resistance The alkali resistance class AR indicates the time required to
remove a 0.1 μm thick layer of glass in an alkaline solution
Alkali resistance according to ISO 10629 indicates the sensitivity (­sodium hydroxide, c = 0.01 mol/l, pH = 12) at a temperature
of optical filter glasses in contact with warm alkaline liquids, of 50 °C.
such as cooling liquids in grinding and polishing processes.
The layer thickness is calculated based on the weight loss per
Alkali resistance is denoted using two digits separated by a surface area and the density of the glass.
decimal point. The first digit lists the alkali resistance class AR
and the decimal indicates the surface changes visible to the
unaided eye that occur through exposure.

40
 5  Chemical properties

Alkali Resistance Classes AR 1 2 3 4 5.5 Resistance against humidity

Time (h) > 4 1– 4 0.25 – 1 < 0.25
After a certain amount of time, the surface of highly sensitive
Table 5.3 glasses exhibits a slightly cloudy residue. Initially, this residue
Classification of optical filter glasses into alkali resistance classes AR 1 – 4 can be removed using glass polishing compounds. More se-
(ISO 10629). vere attacks ruin the surface polish quality. This effect of cor-
rosion is caused by warm humidity. Several factors influence
5.4 Identification of visible surface changes the corrosion of filter glasses: temperature has the biggest
impact with relative humidity, surface quality, and surface
Meaning of the digits used for the classification of acid and contamination also having an influence. Therefore, it is not pos-
alkali resistance: sible to give an exact rating of sensitivity to warm h ­ umidity.
With respect to this behavior, the color filter glasses are classi-
.0 No visible changes fied into four groups:
.1 Clear, but irregular surface
.2 Interference colors (light, selective leaching)
.3 Firmly adhering thin white layer (stronger, selective leach-
ing, cloudy surface)
.4 Loosely adherent, thicker layers, for example, insoluble
reaction products on the surface (this can be a projecting
and/or flaking crust or surface; strong attack)

41
“Resistant glasses” group “Delicate glasses” group Symbol:  
No substantial surface change occurs in these filter glass types. For optical filter glass types marked with two opened u
­ mbrellas,
A change in the surface is only possible under extreme condi- changes in the glass surface are possible after several months
tions such as 85 °C and 85 % relative humidity for hundreds of of normal storage. These glasses are to be handled with care.
hours. Any contact with water or warm humidity should be avoided.
A desiccant is to be used for long-term storage of unprotected
“Robust glasses” group Symbol: glass. For this reason, protective coatings are recommended
Glass types marked with a closed umbrella withstand warm which SCHOTT can provide upon request.
humidity testing at 60 °C and 90 % relative humidity for more
than 48 hours.
5.6 Solarization effects
“Sensitive glasses” group Symbol:
Glass types marked with an opened umbrella should be used Prolonged exposure to intense light sources with high ultra-
and stored in a moderate climate or in closed work and store violet radiation can cause permanent changes (reductions) in
rooms (constant temperature below 35 °C, relative humidity the transmissions of optical filter glasses. In glass technology,
less than 60 %). A desiccant is to be used when wetness is a this effect is called “solarization.” It is mainly a function of the
possibility. For use and storage in open air and tropical climates, intensity and spectral distribution of the radiation. The shorter
it is advisable to apply protective coatings which SCHOTT can the radiation wavelength, the higher the solarization effect.
provide upon request.

42
 5  Chemical properties

The solarization effect primarily manifests itself by a shift of

the shortwave-located edge to longer wavelengths and a re-
duction of the transmission in the pass range. The effect does
not affect the structure and stability of the glass, so there is no
tendency to brittleness and weakening of mechanical stability
as in the case of plastic. Depending on the spectral distribu-
tion, intensity, and duration of the irradiation, a saturation
effect will set in. If the transmittance curve resulting from this
effect is acceptable for the application, such a glass can be
“aged” prior to use by exposing it to appropriate pre-irradia-
tion. KG heat protection filters for xenon lamps are an impor-
tant example for such an application.

Since optical filter glass solarization is heavily dependent on

the spectral distribution and intensity of the light source and
the duration and geometrical arrangement of the irradiation,
no detailed information can be given on solarization. Optical
filter glasses that are prone to higher solarization are identi-
fied by the symbol in the “Properties” part.

Toughened filter glass with scratch-resistant coating.

43
6 Internal quality

The internal quality of optical filter glasses is characterized by 6.1.1 B

 ubbles and inclusions in matte optical filter glass
the following features. plates

The bubble content of an optical filter glass is characterized by

6.1 Bubbles and inclusions the overall cross-sectional area of the bubbles in mm² relative
to 100 cm³ of optical filter glass volume, calculated from the
SCHOTT optical filter glasses are characterized by a particu- sum of the cross-sectional areas of the individual bubbles de-
larly small number of bubbles. However, it is not always pos- tected.
sible to avoid bubbles in the glass. The description of bubble
and inclusion content varies for unpolished glass and polished Inclusions in optical filter glass, such as small stones or crystals,
optical filter components. The reason is that bubble classes for are treated as bubbles in the same cross-sectional area. Only
unpolished glasses are defined for a large volume of 100 cm³, bubbles and inclusions that are larger than 0.03 mm in diam-
while polished optical filter components are often much eter are included in the assessment. The bubble classes are
smaller. Therefore, it is not unusual to produce bubble-free shown in Table 6.1:
components from a block of filter glass with bubble class 3.

44
 6  Internal qualit y

Total cross-section The internal quality of optical filter glass components must be
Bubble class
of all bubbles/inclusions ≥ 0.03 mm specified in accordance with Part 3 of the ISO 10110 standard.
of matte plates
in mm2 per 100 cm3 of glass volume If no specifications are made by the customer on ordering, the
permissible amount of bubbles and inclusions is 1/5 x 0.4 for
B0 ≤ 0.03
all polished filter sizes. (This complies with the regulations of
B1 ≤ 0.10 ISO 10110, Part 11 at a standard filter size of over 30 mm and
up to 100 mm.) This specification is only valid if the transmit-
B2 ≤ 0.25
tance of the filter is high enough.
B3 ≤ 0.50
For filters that are too dark for inspection, only surface defects
Table 6.1 can be inspected, and the minimum requirements of ISO 10110,
Bubble classes of matte colored optical filter glass plates.
Part 11 apply for surface imperfections. Tighter specifications
are possible on request.

6.1.2 Bubbles and inclusions in polished optical filters

If the transmittance is high enough, polished optical filter glass

components can be easily inspected. Therefore, any desired
internal quality can be produced.

45
6.2 Striae 6.3 Homogeneity of refractive index

Striae are locally limited areas that can be detected due to The variation of the refractive index within an optical filter
their refractive index differing from the base glass. Classes of glass is a measure of its optical homogeneity. The better the
striae are defined in ISO 10110, Part 4. The shadowgraph homogeneity, the smaller the variation in refractive index. In-
method is used to determine the striae quality grade. Striae sofar as the transparency of the optical filter glass type allows,
evaluation is dependent on the transparency of the optical indirect homogeneity measurements can be performed for
filter glass. Thus, a specification for striae is only applicable for polished optical filter glass components by measuring the
polished optical filter components. wavefront ­error.

Individual fine striae may be present in our standard quality

glass.

46
 7  Further processing of optical filter glass

7 Further processing of optical filter glass

SCHOTT offers high-performance, custom-designed, unpol- shape, parallelism, and the homogeneity of the glass. Thus,
ished, polished, and coated optical filters to meet your ap- for applications with high optical requirements, it is advisable
plication demands. to specify the permissible wavefront deformation instead of
specifying the shape, parallelism, and homogeneity sepa-
rately with unobtainable tolerances. The wavefront deforma-
7.1 Polished optical filters tion of all our optical filter glasses can be measured, even for
glasses with transmittance in the near infrared range.
Our polished optical filter components are characterized by
the special quality of the material, the accuracy of shape, ex- To improve the surface hardness and strength of an optical
cellent surface quality, and outstanding optical performance. filter component, a thermal toughening (strengthening, hard-
The international standard ISO 10110 defines the quality as- ening) can be applied (see Section 4.3).
pects for an optical component.
Considering the variety of possible applications, the range of
Optical filters are supplied in the form of polished plates or optical filter glasses is not limited to certain standard sizes and
discs with machined edges. Our polishing quality ranges from thicknesses, rather they can be produced to specification,
P2 up to P4 (according to ISO 10110, Part 8). The optical func- subject to each individual glass type’s maximum possible di-
tion of a filter component is not only the correct spectral trans- mensions and thicknesses.
mittance. Especially for imaging optics, the wavefront must
not be distorted. Wavefront distortion is a function of surface Special chamfers and edges are available upon request.

47
7.2 Thermal toughening This means that the limits defined for the guaranteed spectral
values of a glass type can then not be adhered to: Minor de- !
Absorbing optical filter glass in most cases undergoes uneven viations need to be accepted by the customer or discussed
heating due to light irradiation. The low thermal conductivity with us at the time of ordering.
of optical filter glass prevents rapid thermal equilibrium.
For optical filter glasses which are placed in front of intense
Temperature gradients are therefore created between both light sources, thermal toughening is required to increase their
the front and back surfaces and, in particular, between the breaking strength. It must be ensured that glass temperatures
center and the edges of the optical filter glass. This causes do not exceed (Tg – 300 °C), or for a short time (Tg – 250 °C).
bending stresses within the optical filter glass due to thermal If not, thermal toughening will weaken depending on tem-
expansion. perature and time. Transformation temperature Tg is given for
each type of colored glass in the table in the “Properties” part.
Thermal toughening of the optical filter glass enables improved
resistance to larger temperature gradients or rapid tempera- Appropriate action needs to already be taken during the de-
ture changes while also increasing flexural strength. The im- sign of equipment subject to thermal loads so as to minimize
proved heat resistance of tempered optical filter glass causes spatial or temporal temperature gradients – especially be-
minor deformation and possibly minor spectral value changes. tween the center and the edges of the glass plate (e.g. uniform

48