the effects of selected quartz surface treatments, such as etching and fire polishing, on the explosion energy of flashtubes were determined. in addition, selected flashtubes were life tested and then exploded to determine the longevity of any beneficial treatments found. the test results showed that no improvement in explosion energy can be expected as a result of the treatments. in two cases, however, the explosion energy was actually improved after the flashtubes experienced 10,000 shots at low energy. samples of clear fused quartz were etched. the effect of this etching was studied by means of a scanning electron microscope and was used to generate a procedure for etching lamps for the life test and blow-up work. test lamps were fabricated under different quartz surface treatments and then work was done on the life testing and blow-up of these lamps this work was done to measure the effects of extensive life on the explosion energy under the different quartz surface treatments. the hydrostatic rupture of lamps by means of internal oil pressure was studied to determine the actual strength of two different types of quartz: standard cfq and m380 quartz. no difference in rupture strength was found. (era citation 02:003672)