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Mg2SiO4 C-250

Grade · default condition

C-250 = dense forsterite

Choose for vacuum-tight metal/glass seals, microwave-tube and high-frequency insulators needing very low dielectric loss.

High cost $$$$

Values for the C-250 condition

Other Mg2SiO4 tempers and conditions

Mg2SiO4 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Mg2SiO4.

Compare all 2 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Porous forsterite
Choose for non-gas-tight, lower-cost insulating bodies, spacers and heater supports where open porosity and lower strength are acceptable.—25—500 HV2 W/m·K
C-250DefaultThis page
Dense forsterite
Choose for vacuum-tight metal/glass seals, microwave-tube and high-frequency insulators needing very low dielectric loss.—65—750 HV4 W/m·K

What is Mg2SiO4 C-250?

Mg2SiO4 C-250 is Mg2SiO4 in the C-250 grade — choose for vacuum-tight metal/glass seals, microwave-tube and high-frequency insulators needing very low dielectric loss. Mg2SiO4 C-250 has a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi), weaker than 62% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). Mg2SiO4 C-250 has a density of 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), lighter than 79% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,890°C (3,434 °F).

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 90% of ceramic grades
  • Lightweight — 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), better than 79% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 79% of ceramic grades

Mg2SiO4 C-250 properties

Typical room-temperature values for Mg2SiO4 C-250; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Mg2SiO4 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical4

Mg2SiO4 C-250 has a density of 2.85 g/cm³ (0.103 lb/in³), lighter than 79% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,890°C (3,434 °F).

Density2.85 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,890°C3,434 °F
Refractive Index1.65
Porosity0.3%

Mechanical11

Mg2SiO4 C-250 has a tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi), weaker than 62% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus130 GPa18.9 Msi
Shear Modulus52 GPa7.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus85 GPa12.3 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.24
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)65 MPa9.4 ksi
Compressive Strength800 MPa116 ksi
Flexural Strength150 MPa21.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)1.8 MPa·√m1.6 ksi·√in
Hardness, Vickers750 HV
Hardness, Knoop800 HK
Hardness, Mohs7

Thermal5

Mg2SiO4 C-250 is rated for continuous service to 1,000°C (1,832 °F). It conducts heat at 3.5 W/m·K (2.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 74% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 9 µm/m·K (5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity3.5 W/m·K2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity840 J/kg·K0.2 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)1,000°C1,832 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical5

Mg2SiO4 C-250 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 13 kV/mm (330.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
Dielectric Strength13 kV/mm330 V/mil
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)6.2
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)3×10⁻⁴
Volume Resistivity1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 50% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good75/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryStable in water, steam, alkalis and most molten non-ferrous metals; slowly attacked by hot strong mineral acids (HF, HCl, H2SO4) which leach the MgO-rich phase and grain-boundary glass.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Mg2SiO4 C-250 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content0%

Manufacturability3

Mg2SiO4 C-250's machinability is not recommended (8/100, better than 69% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature1,380°C2,516 °F

Common Calculations4

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated23 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated45.6 MN·m/kg
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated1.5 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated0

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Mg2SiO4 C-250

Is Mg2SiO4 easy to machine?

Machine in the green or bisque state; fired bodies require diamond grinding/lapping and chip easily at edges.

Can Mg2SiO4 be welded?

Not weldable — joined by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-containing filler) or Mo–Mn metallizing plus Ni plating and brazing for vacuum-tight seals.

Can Mg2SiO4 be formed, bent or molded?

Dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion or slip casting of talc/magnesia batches, then firing at ~1300–1450 °C with tight kiln control to avoid periclase or protoenstatite phases.

What surface finishes work on Mg2SiO4?

Fired glazing improves surface resistivity and cleanability; metallized/plated pads used for brazing, otherwise lapped or diamond-polished.

Mg2SiO4 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
MgOforsterite stoichiometry 57.3 wt% MgO50 – 5855
Al2O3from clay/talc raw materials0 – 31
CaO+BaOsintering aid / glassy bond0 – 31
Fe2O3impurity, kept low for low dielectric loss0 – 0.50.2
SiO2forsterite stoichiometry 42.7 wt% SiO2≥ 38 (balance)—

Mg2SiO4 C-250 — frequently asked

What is Mg2SiO4 C-250 used for?

Mg2SiO4 C-250 is typically used for vacuum tube seals, electrical insulators and high-frequency insulation parts. In short: CTE-matched sealing ceramic; forsterite silicate insulator; 1000 °C service limit.

What is the tensile strength of Mg2SiO4 C-250?

Mg2SiO4 C-250 has a typical tensile strength of 65 MPa (9.43 ksi) — weaker than 62% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.

Is Mg2SiO4 C-250 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, better than 69% of ceramic grades). Machine in the green or bisque state; fired bodies require diamond grinding/lapping and chip easily at edges.

Can Mg2SiO4 C-250 be welded?

Not weldable — joined by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-containing filler) or Mo–Mn metallizing plus Ni plating and brazing for vacuum-tight seals.

What surface finishes work on Mg2SiO4 C-250?

Fired glazing improves surface resistivity and cleanability; metallized/plated pads used for brazing, otherwise lapped or diamond-polished.

Can Mg2SiO4 C-250 be formed, bent or molded?

Dry pressing, isostatic pressing, extrusion or slip casting of talc/magnesia batches, then firing at ~1300–1450 °C with tight kiln control to avoid periclase or protoenstatite phases.

What is the maximum service temperature of Mg2SiO4 C-250?

Mg2SiO4 C-250 is rated for continuous use to about 1,000°C (1,832 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. IEC 60672-3 Ceramic and glass insulating materials – Part 3: Specifications for individual materials (Types C-240, C-250) — IEC (1997)
  2. Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
  3. Technical ceramics – steatite / forsterite product data — CeramTec / Kyocera (2023)
  4. Phase Diagrams for Ceramists – MgO–SiO2 system — American Ceramic Society (1985)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.