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Boron Nitride vs TiN

Ceramic · grade comparison

Boron Nitride and TiN are both ceramic grades. Boron Nitride is lighter (2 g/cm³ vs 5.22 g/cm³ for TiN) and TiN is stiffer (250 GPa vs 45 GPa). On the shop floor, Boron Nitride machines more easily (excellent vs not recommended).

Boron NitrideChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Boron Nitride vs TiN: properties

Boron NitrideTiN

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
250 GPa36.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

18 GPa2.6 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

36 GPa5.2 Msi
290 GPa42.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.2
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

35 MPa5.1 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

90 MPa13.1 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Flexural Strength

55 MPa8 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in
4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Mohs

2
9

Hardness, Vickers

—
1,900 HV

Hardness, Knoop

—
1,800 HK

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
5.22 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,973°C5,383 °F
2,950°C5,342 °F

Refractive Index

1.75
—

Porosity

8%
2%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
600 J/kg·K0.14 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

2 µm/m·K1.1 µin/in·°F
9.4 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,000°C1,832 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-250°C-418 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

40 kV/mm1,016 V/mil
—

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4.1
—

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

4×10⁻⁴
—

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm
3×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
75 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

85 / 100
8 / 100

Polishability

25 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Sintering / Firing Temperature 1,800°C3,272 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

20 kg CO₂/kg
15 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
—

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.5 MN·m/kg
47.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

20.6 mm²/s
9.3 mm²/s

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 scaleBoron Nitride

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBoron NitrideTiN
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Boron Nitride vs TiN — frequently asked

What is the difference between Boron Nitride and TiN?

Boron Nitride and TiN are both ceramic grades. Boron Nitride is lighter (2 g/cm³ vs 5.22 g/cm³ for TiN) and TiN is stiffer (250 GPa vs 45 GPa). On the shop floor, Boron Nitride machines more easily (excellent vs not recommended).

Which is cheaper, Boron Nitride or TiN?

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, Boron Nitride or TiN?

Boron Nitride. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against not recommended (8/100) for TiN.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Boron Nitride and TiN 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.