Alumina 99.5 vs ZTA
Ceramic · grade comparison
Alumina 99.5 and ZTA are both ceramic grades. Alumina 99.5 is harder — 1,650 HV against 1,500 HV for ZTA — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alumina 99.5 is lighter (3.9 g/cm³ vs 4.15 g/cm³ for ZTA) and Alumina 99.5 is stiffer (372 GPa vs 350 GPa).
Alumina 99.5Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Alumina 99.5 vs ZTA: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all ceramic grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all ceramic grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 260 MPa37.7 ksi · Compressive Strength 2,500 MPa363 ksi · Hardness, Mohs 9
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Refractive Index
Porosity
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Same in both: Machinability 5 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Alumina 99.5 | ZTA |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Alumina 99.5 vs ZTA — frequently asked
What is the difference between Alumina 99.5 and ZTA?
Alumina 99.5 and ZTA are both ceramic grades. Alumina 99.5 is harder — 1,650 HV against 1,500 HV for ZTA — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Alumina 99.5 is lighter (3.9 g/cm³ vs 4.15 g/cm³ for ZTA) and Alumina 99.5 is stiffer (372 GPa vs 350 GPa).
Which is cheaper, Alumina 99.5 or ZTA?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Alumina 99.5 over ZTA?
Pick Alumina 99.5 when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumina 99.5 and ZTA 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.