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Al2O3-99.5% vs PZT-4

Ceramic · grade comparison

Al2O3-99.5% and PZT-4 are both ceramic grades. Al2O3-99.5% is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for PZT-4, about 3.5 times as much. Al2O3-99.5% is harder — 1,550 HV against 320 HV for PZT-4 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Al2O3-99.5% is lighter (3.89 g/cm³ vs 7.5 g/cm³ for PZT-4) and Al2O3-99.5% is stiffer (375 GPa vs 70 GPa).

Al2O3-99.5%Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Al2O3-99.5% vs PZT-4: properties

Al2O3-99.5%PZT-4

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

375 GPa54.4 Msi
70 GPa10.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

152 GPa22 Msi
26 GPa3.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

228 GPa33.1 Msi
60 GPa8.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Compressive Strength

2,600 MPa377 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Flexural Strength

390 MPa56.6 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Shear Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
65 MPa9.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

4.2 MPa·√m3.8 ksi·√in
1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,550 HV
320 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,450 HK
300 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9
5

Elongation at Break

—
0.1%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.89 g/cm³0.14 lb/in³
7.5 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,050°C3,722 °F
—

Refractive Index

1.76
—

Porosity

0.1%
1%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

32 W/m·K18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.3 W/m·K0.72 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F
350 J/kg·K0.08 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,700°C3,092 °F
160°C320 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

18 kV/mm457 V/mil
10 kV/mm254 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

9.8
1,300

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

1×10⁻⁴
0.004

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

95 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
12 / 100

Polishability

92 / 100
70 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,650°C3,002 °F
1,275°C2,327 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

65 MJ/kg27,945 BTU/lb
—

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
—

Embodied Water

150 L/kg18 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

0%
—

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

67 kN·m/kg
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

96.4 MN·m/kg
9.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

9.3 mm²/s
0.5 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
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 scale

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAl2O3-99.5%PZT-4
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Al2O3-99.5% vs PZT-4 — frequently asked

Is Al2O3-99.5% stronger than PZT-4?

Yes. Al2O3-99.5% has a typical tensile strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for PZT-4 — about 3.5 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Al2O3-99.5% or PZT-4?

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.

Which is easier to machine, Al2O3-99.5% or PZT-4?

PZT-4, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 5/100 for Al2O3-99.5%.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Al2O3-99.5% and PZT-4 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.