FabDigitFabDigit

BeO Ceramic vs MgO-dense

Ceramic · grade comparison

BeO Ceramic and MgO-dense are both ceramic grades. BeO Ceramic is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for MgO-dense, about 47% more. BeO Ceramic is harder — 1,200 HV against 550 HV for MgO-dense — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BeO Ceramic is lighter (2.87 g/cm³ vs 3.55 g/cm³ for MgO-dense) and BeO Ceramic is stiffer (345 GPa vs 300 GPa). On the shop floor, MgO-dense machines more easily (poor vs not recommended).

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

MgO-denseChoose it when the part is machined in volume.

BeO Ceramic vs MgO-dense: properties

BeO CeramicMgO-dense

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
158 GPa22.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.26
0.18

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

140 MPa20.3 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi

Compressive Strength

1,550 MPa225 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Flexural Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
1.4 MPa·√m1.3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,200 HV
550 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,200 HK
600 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9
5.5

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%
1%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

285 W/m·K165 BTU/hr·ft·°F
45 W/m·K26 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
11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,800°C3,272 °F
1,900°C3,452 °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
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
20 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,650°C3,002 °F
1,700°C3,092 °F

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

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
3.2 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
27 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

120.2 MN·m/kg
84.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

96.4 mm²/s
13.6 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-dense
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

BeO Ceramic vs MgO-dense — frequently asked

Is BeO Ceramic stronger than MgO-dense?

Yes. BeO Ceramic has a typical tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for MgO-dense — about 47% more.

Which is cheaper, BeO Ceramic or MgO-dense?

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.

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

MgO-dense. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) 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-dense 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.