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BeO Ceramic vs MgO Ceramic

Ceramic · grade comparison

BeO Ceramic and MgO Ceramic are both ceramic grades. BeO Ceramic is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for MgO Ceramic, about 40% more. BeO Ceramic is harder — 1,200 HV against 620 HV for MgO Ceramic — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BeO Ceramic is lighter (2.87 g/cm³ vs 3.55 g/cm³ for MgO Ceramic) and BeO Ceramic is stiffer (345 GPa vs 300 GPa). On the shop floor, MgO Ceramic machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and MgO Ceramic sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than BeO Ceramic (high, $$$$).

BeO CeramicChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

MgO CeramicChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

BeO Ceramic vs MgO Ceramic: properties

BeO CeramicMgO Ceramic

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

345 GPa50 Msi
300 GPa43.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

137 GPa19.9 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

240 GPa34.8 Msi
155 GPa22.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.26
0.18

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Compressive Strength

1,550 MPa225 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Flexural Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
1.6 MPa·√m1.5 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,200 HV
620 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,200 HK
590 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9
6

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.87 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
3.55 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,530°C4,586 °F
2,800°C5,072 °F

Refractive Index

1.72
1.736

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
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,030 J/kg·K0.25 BTU/lb·°F
935 J/kg·K0.22 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

7 µm/m·K3.9 µin/in·°F
13.5 µm/m·K7.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,800°C3,272 °F
1,700°C3,092 °F

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

6.7
9.7

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Same in both: Dielectric Strength 12 kV/mm305 V/mil · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 4×10⁻⁴

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
22 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,650°C3,002 °F
1,700°C3,092 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

22 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
25 L/kg3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

49 kN·m/kg
28 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

120.2 MN·m/kg
84.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

96.4 mm²/s
12.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

17
1

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 CeramicMgO Ceramic
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BeO Ceramic vs MgO Ceramic — frequently asked

Is BeO Ceramic stronger than MgO Ceramic?

Yes. BeO Ceramic has a typical tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for MgO Ceramic — about 40% more.

Which is cheaper, BeO Ceramic or MgO Ceramic?

MgO Ceramic is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while BeO Ceramic is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, BeO Ceramic or MgO Ceramic?

MgO Ceramic. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (5/100) for BeO Ceramic.

Ready to make it?

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