Sapphire Machining
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Design of Sapphire Machining
The same basic process that is used to diamond ground any dense alumina oxide material is used in Sapphire machining. Sapphire is an anisotropic, rhombohedral crystal form of Aluminum Oxide. Some common properties of sapphire include thermal expansion and hardness. It is also what is known as birefringent, an "optical refractive property which offsets wave transmission up to 0.8% at right angles to the optic axis." Industrial sapphire is made by melting aluminum oxide and then promoting crystal growth with a seed and by carefully controlling the environment. Different methods result in varying sizes, qualities, costs, and shapes such as ribbons, tubes, or rod-like boules that are then machined into more easily employed sizes and shapes. The material does tend to chip somewhat easier than alumina, but applying the correct grinding procedure and technique will easily avoid this.