heavy-metal fluoride glass

glass

Also known as: HMFG

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

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Heavy-metal fluoride glasses (HMFGs) are a type of nonoxide glass with potential applications in telecommunications fibers due to their low optical losses. However, these glasses are challenging to produce and have poor chemical durability. The most researched type of HMFG is known as the ZBLAN group, which is composed of fluorides from zirconium, barium, lanthanum, aluminum, and sodium.1

Fluorite, a mineral composed of calcium fluoride, is also related to fluorine and is used in various industrial applications, including the manufacturing of opalescent glass.2

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industrial glass
Heavy-metal fluoride glasses
Of the nonoxide glasses, the heavy-metal fluoride glasses (HMFGs) have potential use in telecommunications fibres, owing to their relatively low optical losses. However, they are also extremely difficult to form and have poor chemical durability. The most studied HMFG is the so-called…
Read More
Of the nonoxide glasses, the heavy-metal fluoride glasses (HMFGs) have potential use in telecommunications fibres, owing to their relatively low optical losses. However, they are also extremely difficult to form and have poor chemical durability. The most studied HMFG is the so-called…
Read More