1. Test items

Purity test: Although the main component of quartz is silicon dioxide, natural quartz often contains impurities, such as metal oxides such as iron, aluminum, and calcium. High-purity quartz is crucial to precision fields such as optics and electronics. For example, quartz used to manufacture high-end optical lenses, too high impurity content will affect the light transmittance and refractive index, and reduce the imaging quality of the lens.

Crystal structure test: It is necessary to confirm the integrity of the quartz crystal structure and whether there are lattice defects, dislocations and other problems. In the production of piezoelectric quartz components, a perfect trigonal or hexagonal crystal structure is the key to ensuring the stability and reliability of the piezoelectric effect. Structural defects may cause component frequency deviation and affect the normal operation of electronic equipment.

Hardness test: Check whether the actual hardness of quartz reaches the Mohs hardness standard of 7. This is not only related to its wear resistance as a grinding tool. If it is used in some industrial scenarios with special requirements for material wear resistance, insufficient hardness may not meet production needs and accelerate tool loss.

Optical performance test: Covers the measurement of ultraviolet and visible light transmittance, as well as the analysis of optical parameters such as refractive index and dispersion. Taking quartz lens manufacturing as an example, precise optical performance guarantees imaging clarity and color reproduction. Any deviation in optical performance may make the finished lens a defective product.

2. Detection method

Chemical analysis method: used for purity detection, by digesting quartz samples, using atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy and other technologies, quantitatively determine the content of various impurity elements, and accurately judge the purity.

X-ray diffraction method: with the help of the diffraction spectrum generated by the interaction between X-rays and quartz crystals, the crystal structure is analyzed, and microscopic features such as lattice defects and crystal changes can be clearly identified, providing a basis for crystal quality assessment.

Hardness test method: using a hardness tester, according to the standard test process, apply a specified pressure on the quartz surface, measure the indentation size, and convert the hardness value against the hardness scale to intuitively reflect its wear resistance.

Optical instrument test method: using professional optical instruments such as spectrophotometers and refractometers, measure the transmittance and refractive index of quartz samples in different bands of light to obtain accurate optical performance data.

3. Testing standards

There are relevant standards such as GB/T 32649 "Quartz Crystal" in China, which specify the qualified range of key indicators such as purity, crystal structure, and optical properties in detail; internationally, different industries also follow corresponding international standards such as ASTM for quartz applications, and exported products must strictly meet the standards to ensure global compatibility.

4. Significance of testing

For quartz mining and processing companies, strict testing controls product quality, reduces defective rates, improves brand reputation, and enhances market competitiveness. For downstream manufacturers using quartz, purchasing qualified materials can ensure stable and reliable performance of end products and reduce production risks. From the overall perspective of industrial development, standardized testing promotes the upgrading of quartz industry technology, prompts companies to optimize mining and processing technology, expand new areas of quartz application, and help the entire industry move towards a higher quality development stage.

In short, quartz testing runs through the upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, and is the core link to ensure the high-quality supply of this key material and promote industry progress.