Hot-pressed MgF₂ Domes

Flexural Strength: Greater than 20,000 psi, ensures robustness and reliability under mechanical stress, crucial for defense and aerospace applications.

Knoop Hardness: Exceeds 1350 kg/mm², provides excellent resistance to scratching and abrasion, ensuring longevity in harsh environments.

Optical Transmission: High transmission within the 2μm to 7.5μm range, ideal for Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) thermal imaging, providing clear and high-quality imagery.

Applications:

  • Defense: Used in missile domes, reconnaissance systems, and infrared sensors.
  • Security: Applied in high-end thermal cameras and night vision equipment for surveillance.
  • Aerospace: Utilized in spacecraft sensors and aerospace optics, where durability and thermal stability are critical.

Hot-pressed Magnesium Fluoride (MgF₂) domes are specialized optical components that meet the stringent requirements for various high-performance applications, especially in defense, security, and aerospace.

Properties of Hot-Pressed MgF₂:

1.Flexural Strength: Typically greater than 20,000 psi, making it highly resistant to mechanical stress and suitable for demanding environments.

2.Knoop Hardness: Greater than 1350 kg/mm², ensuring excellent resistance to scratching and abrasion.

3.Optical Transmission: 

  • High transmission in the 2μm to 7.5μm range, making it ideal for MWIR (Mid-Wave Infrared) applications.
  • Good transmission properties extend into the UV and visible ranges, providing versatility for multi-spectral applications.

Thermal Properties:

  • High thermal stability, allowing it to withstand significant temperature fluctuations without degrading its optical properties.
  • Low thermal expansion coefficient, which helps maintain structural integrity under thermal stress.

Applications:

1.Defense: 

  • Missile Domes: Protect infrared seekers and sensors in missile guidance systems.
  • Reconnaissance Systems: Enhance the performance of surveillance equipment by providing clear infrared imagery.

2. Security:

  • Thermal Cameras: Used in high-end thermal imaging systems for border security and surveillance.
  • Night Vision Equipment: Improve the performance of night vision devices by enhancing infrared transmission.

3.Aerospace:

  • Spacecraft Sensors: Protect sensitive infrared sensors from harsh space environments.
  • Aerospace Optics: Used in various optical systems aboard aircraft and spacecraft due to their durability and optical clarity.

Advantages of Hot-Pressed MgF₂ Domes:

  • Durability: High mechanical strength and hardness ensure longevity and reliability in harsh environments.
  • Optical Clarity: Excellent transmission in the MWIR range provides high-quality infrared imaging.
  • Thermal Stability: Maintains performance across a wide temperature range, crucial for aerospace and defense applications.
  • Chemical Resistance: Resistant to chemical degradation, ensuring longevity in various operational environments.

Physical and Optical Properties:

Transmission Range 0.7 to 9μm
Knoop Hardness >539kg/mm2
Fracture Strength 96MPa
Compression Strength >300MPa
Bending Strength >90MPa
Refractive Index 1.3812+/-0.005 (at 0.5893μm)
Thermal Expansion <1.3×10-5 K-1(25-300℃)
Density >3.17g/cm3
Transmittance >85%(2-7.5μm)