Amorphous Graphite vs Natural Flake Graphite
Ceramic · grade comparison
Amorphous Graphite and Natural Flake Graphite are both ceramic grades. Natural Flake Graphite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) for Amorphous Graphite, about 60% more. Natural Flake Graphite is the more ductile: elongation 0.3% versus 0.2% for Amorphous Graphite, and Amorphous Graphite is harder (15 HV vs 12 HV). Natural Flake Graphite is stiffer (10 GPa vs 7 GPa) and Natural Flake Graphite conducts heat better (250 W/m·K vs 20 W/m·K).
Natural Flake GraphiteChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Amorphous Graphite vs Natural Flake Graphite: 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.
Amorphous GraphiteNatural Flake Graphite
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Same in both: Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 0.8 MPa·√m0.73 ksi·√in · Hardness, Mohs 1.5
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 3,650°C6,602 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 710 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 450°C842 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
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.
Machinability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
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 | Amorphous Graphite | Natural Flake Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Amorphous Graphite vs Natural Flake Graphite — frequently asked
Is Natural Flake Graphite stronger than Amorphous Graphite?
Yes. Natural Flake Graphite has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) against 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) for Amorphous Graphite — about 60% more.
Which is cheaper, Amorphous Graphite or Natural Flake Graphite?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Amorphous Graphite or Natural Flake Graphite?
Amorphous Graphite, by a small margin. Both rate excellent for machinability — 90/100 against 85/100 for Natural Flake Graphite.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Amorphous Graphite and Natural Flake Graphite 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.