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Al2O3-96% vs PZT

Ceramic · grade comparison

Al2O3-96% and PZT are both ceramic grades. Al2O3-96% is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for PZT, about 129% more. Al2O3-96% is harder — 1,200 HV against 350 HV for PZT — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Al2O3-96% is lighter (3.72 g/cm³ vs 7.75 g/cm³ for PZT) and Al2O3-96% is stiffer (300 GPa vs 61 GPa).

Al2O3-96%Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Al2O3-96% vs PZT: properties

Al2O3-96%PZT

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

300 GPa43.5 Msi
61 GPa8.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

124 GPa18 Msi
23 GPa3.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

172 GPa24.9 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.21
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

172 MPa24.9 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Compressive Strength

2,100 MPa305 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Flexural Strength

345 MPa50 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Shear Strength

165 MPa23.9 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,200 HV
350 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,100 HK
330 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9
5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.72 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³
7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,000°C3,632 °F
—

Porosity

0.5%
1%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.3 W/m·K0.75 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

6.5 µm/m·K3.6 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,500°C2,732 °F
175°C347 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

16 kV/mm406 V/mil
5 kV/mm127 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

9.5
1,700

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

3×10⁻⁴
0.02

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹² Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

5 / 100
8 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,550°C2,822 °F
1,250°C2,282 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

51 MJ/kg21,926 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.1 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

0%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

46 kN·m/kg
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

80.6 MN·m/kg
7.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

7.3 mm²/s
0.4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

2
0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

501002005001,000234567Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePZT

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAl2O3-96%PZT
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Al2O3-96% vs PZT — frequently asked

Is Al2O3-96% stronger than PZT?

Yes. Al2O3-96% has a typical tensile strength of 172 MPa (24.9 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for PZT — about 129% more.

Which is cheaper, Al2O3-96% or PZT?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

When should I choose Al2O3-96% over PZT?

Pick Al2O3-96% when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Al2O3-96% and PZT side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.