BeO vs Spinel
Ceramic · grade comparison
BeO and Spinel are both ceramic grades. BeO is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for Spinel, about 8% more. Spinel is harder — 1,350 HV against 1,200 HV for BeO — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. BeO is lighter (2.87 g/cm³ vs 3.55 g/cm³ for Spinel) and BeO is stiffer (345 GPa vs 265 GPa).
BeOChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
SpinelChoose it when surface hardness matters.
BeO vs Spinel: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.26
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)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 3×10⁻⁴
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.
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 5 / 100 · Sintering / Firing Temperature 1,650°C3,002 °F
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 | Spinel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
BeO vs Spinel — frequently asked
Is BeO stronger than Spinel?
Yes. BeO has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) for Spinel — about 8% more.
Which is cheaper, BeO or Spinel?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose BeO over Spinel?
Pick BeO when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint. Pick Spinel when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BeO and Spinel 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.