FabDigitFabDigit

Aluminum Nitride vs C0G/NP0

Ceramic · grade comparison

Aluminum Nitride and C0G/NP0 are both ceramic grades. Aluminum Nitride is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for C0G/NP0, about 3.3 times as much. Aluminum Nitride is harder — 1,100 HV against 680 HV for C0G/NP0 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Aluminum Nitride is lighter (3.29 g/cm³ vs 5.7 g/cm³ for C0G/NP0) and Aluminum Nitride is stiffer (320 GPa vs 120 GPa).

Aluminum NitrideChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Aluminum Nitride vs C0G/NP0: properties

Aluminum NitrideC0G/NP0

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

320 GPa46.4 Msi
120 GPa17.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

128 GPa18.6 Msi
47 GPa6.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
87 GPa12.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.24
0.27

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

200 MPa29 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Compressive Strength

2,100 MPa305 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Flexural Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in
1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,100 HV
680 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,200 HK
720 HK

Hardness, Mohs

7.5
6.5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.29 g/cm³0.12 lb/in³
5.7 g/cm³0.21 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,200°C3,992 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Refractive Index

2.15
—

Same in both: Porosity 0.5%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

175 W/m·K101 BTU/hr·ft·°F
3 W/m·K1.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

740 J/kg·K0.18 BTU/lb·°F
550 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
9.5 µm/m·K5.3 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,000°C1,832 °F
125°C257 °F

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-55°C-67 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

17 kV/mm432 V/mil
25 kV/mm635 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

8.8
65

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

5×10⁻⁴
2×10⁻⁴

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
90 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,800°C3,272 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Same in both: Machinability 5 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

20 kg CO₂/kg
6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
11 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

97.3 MN·m/kg
21.1 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

71.9 mm²/s
1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

24
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 scaleAluminum Nitride

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAluminum NitrideC0G/NP0
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Aluminum Nitride vs C0G/NP0 — frequently asked

Is Aluminum Nitride stronger than C0G/NP0?

Yes. Aluminum Nitride has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for C0G/NP0 — about 3.3 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Aluminum Nitride or C0G/NP0?

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 Aluminum Nitride over C0G/NP0?

Pick Aluminum Nitride when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Aluminum Nitride and C0G/NP0 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.