a. High transparency from the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) (142 nm) through the visible, near infrared (IR) (6.5 microns), and again from about 50 microns out through the microwave spectrum (radio, communications, radar, etc.)
b. Low dn/dt over a wide range of wave lengths
c. High mechanical strength for high-pressure and shock-loading applications
d. Refractory temperature tolerance to within a few hundred degrees to its 2040 °C melting point
e. Chemical resistivity stable in many acid environments at high temperatures
f. Attractive choice for laser host applications and use at cryogenic temperatures because of high thermal conductivity
g. Thermal shock resistance because high strength and high thermal conductivity allow it to survive extreme thermal shock conditions
h. High resistance to solarization radiation effects
i. Hardness (excellent rain erosion resistance and low frictional coefficient)
j. High electrical resistivity (10¹⁴ Ohm-cm)
k. High dielectric constant (9.39 from 1.0 MHz to 8.5 GHz)