BeO vs MgO Ceramic
Ceramic · grade comparison
BeO and MgO Ceramic are both ceramic grades. BeO is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for MgO Ceramic, about 30% more. BeO is harder — 1,200 HV against 620 HV for MgO Ceramic — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BeO is lighter (2.87 g/cm³ vs 3.55 g/cm³ for MgO Ceramic) and BeO 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, $$) than BeO (high, $$$$).
BeOChoose 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 vs MgO Ceramic: 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
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 Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 12 kV/mm305 V/mil
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
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%
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 | MgO Ceramic |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
BeO vs MgO Ceramic — frequently asked
Is BeO stronger than MgO Ceramic?
Yes. BeO has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for MgO Ceramic — about 30% more.
Which is cheaper, BeO or MgO Ceramic?
MgO Ceramic is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while BeO is high ($$$$). 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 or MgO Ceramic?
MgO Ceramic. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (5/100) for BeO.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BeO 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.