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Aluminum Nitride vs PZT-5H

Ceramic · grade comparison

Aluminum Nitride and PZT-5H are both ceramic grades. Aluminum Nitride is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for PZT-5H, about 167% more. Aluminum Nitride is harder — 1,100 HV against 320 HV for PZT-5H — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Aluminum Nitride is lighter (3.29 g/cm³ vs 7.5 g/cm³ for PZT-5H) and Aluminum Nitride is stiffer (320 GPa vs 60 GPa).

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

Aluminum Nitride vs PZT-5H: properties

Aluminum NitridePZT-5H

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

320 GPa46.4 Msi
60 GPa8.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

128 GPa18.6 Msi
23 GPa3.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
60 GPa8.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.24
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

200 MPa29 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Compressive Strength

2,100 MPa305 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Flexural Strength

330 MPa47.9 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in
0.9 MPa·√m0.82 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,100 HV
320 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,200 HK
300 HK

Hardness, Mohs

7.5
—

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.29 g/cm³0.12 lb/in³
7.5 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,200°C3,992 °F
—

Refractive Index

2.15
—

Porosity

0.5%
1.5%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

175 W/m·K101 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.3 W/m·K0.72 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

740 J/kg·K0.18 BTU/lb·°F
350 J/kg·K0.08 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,000°C1,832 °F
95°C203 °F

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

17 kV/mm432 V/mil
3 kV/mm76.2 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

8.8
3,400

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

5×10⁻⁴
0.02

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹¹ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
6 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
60 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,800°C3,272 °F
1,250°C2,282 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

20 kg CO₂/kg
6.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

0%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

61 kN·m/kg
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

97.3 MN·m/kg
8 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

71.9 mm²/s
0.5 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 NitridePZT-5H
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Aluminum Nitride vs PZT-5H — frequently asked

Is Aluminum Nitride stronger than PZT-5H?

Yes. Aluminum Nitride has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) for PZT-5H — about 167% more.

Which is cheaper, Aluminum Nitride or PZT-5H?

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 PZT-5H?

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 PZT-5H 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.