FabDigitFabDigit

BeO Ceramic vs HfO2

Ceramic · grade comparison

BeO Ceramic and HfO2 are both ceramic grades. BeO Ceramic is harder — 1,200 HV against 800 HV for HfO2 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BeO Ceramic is lighter (2.87 g/cm³ vs 9.5 g/cm³ for HfO2) and BeO Ceramic is stiffer (345 GPa vs 240 GPa).

BeO CeramicChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

HfO2Choose it when the part sees heat.

BeO Ceramic vs HfO2: properties

BeO CeramicHfO2

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

345 GPa50 Msi
240 GPa34.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

137 GPa19.9 Msi
95 GPa13.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

240 GPa34.8 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.26
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

1,550 MPa225 ksi
1,200 MPa174 ksi

Flexural Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
1.8 MPa·√m1.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,200 HV
800 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,200 HK
780 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9
6.5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.87 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
9.5 g/cm³0.34 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,530°C4,586 °F
2,758°C4,996 °F

Refractive Index

1.72
2.1

Porosity

0.5%
2%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

285 W/m·K165 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.7 W/m·K0.98 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,030 J/kg·K0.25 BTU/lb·°F
285 J/kg·K0.07 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

7 µm/m·K3.9 µin/in·°F
5.8 µm/m·K3.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,800°C3,272 °F
2,200°C3,992 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

12 kV/mm305 V/mil
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

6.7
22

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

4×10⁻⁴
0.002

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
1×10¹² Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
92 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
8 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,650°C3,002 °F
1,750°C3,182 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

22 kg CO₂/kg
45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

5%
—

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

120.2 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

96.4 mm²/s
0.6 mm²/s

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

CapabilityBeO CeramicHfO2
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BeO Ceramic vs HfO2 — frequently asked

What is the difference between BeO Ceramic and HfO2?

BeO Ceramic and HfO2 are both ceramic grades. BeO Ceramic is harder — 1,200 HV against 800 HV for HfO2 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BeO Ceramic is lighter (2.87 g/cm³ vs 9.5 g/cm³ for HfO2) and BeO Ceramic is stiffer (345 GPa vs 240 GPa).

Which is cheaper, BeO Ceramic or HfO2?

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 BeO Ceramic over HfO2?

Pick BeO Ceramic when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint. Pick HfO2 when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BeO Ceramic and HfO2 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.