BeO Ceramic vs Silica Aerogel
Ceramic · grade comparison
BeO Ceramic and Silica Aerogel are both ceramic grades. BeO Ceramic is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi) for Silica Aerogel, about 7000 times as much. Silica Aerogel is lighter (0.1 g/cm³ vs 2.87 g/cm³ for BeO Ceramic) and BeO Ceramic is stiffer (345 GPa vs 0.01 GPa).
BeO CeramicChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Silica AerogelChoose it when weight is the constraint.
BeO Ceramic vs Silica Aerogel: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Refractive Index
Porosity
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
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
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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 | BeO Ceramic | Silica Aerogel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
BeO Ceramic vs Silica Aerogel — frequently asked
Is BeO Ceramic stronger than Silica Aerogel?
Yes. BeO Ceramic has a typical tensile strength of 140 MPa (20.3 ksi) against 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi) for Silica Aerogel — about 7000 times as much.
Which is cheaper, BeO Ceramic or Silica Aerogel?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, 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 Silica Aerogel?
Pick BeO Ceramic when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat. Pick Silica Aerogel when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BeO Ceramic and Silica Aerogel 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.