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C6 vs YG3

Ceramic · grade comparison

C6 and YG3 are both ceramic grades. YG3 is harder — 1,580 HV against 1,500 HV for C6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C6 is lighter (11.5 g/cm³ vs 15.1 g/cm³ for YG3) and YG3 is stiffer (650 GPa vs 540 GPa).

C6Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

YG3Choose it when surface hardness matters.

C6 vs YG3: properties

C6YG3

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

540 GPa78.3 Msi
650 GPa94.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
268 GPa38.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

330 GPa47.9 Msi
385 GPa55.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.23
0.21

Compressive Strength

4,500 MPa653 ksi
6,000 MPa870 ksi

Flexural Strength

1,600 MPa232 ksi
1,200 MPa174 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

10.5 MPa·√m9.6 ksi·√in
8.5 MPa·√m7.7 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,500 HV
1,580 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,450 HK
1,500 HK

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

—
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Elongation at Break

—
0%

Shear Strength

—
900 MPa131 ksi

Same in both: Hardness, Mohs 9

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

11.5 g/cm³0.42 lb/in³
15.1 g/cm³0.55 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,320°C2,408 °F · Porosity 0.02%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
88 W/m·K50.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

250 J/kg·K0.06 BTU/lb·°F
210 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

6.5 µm/m·K3.6 µin/in·°F
4.4 µm/m·K2.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

800°C1,472 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m19.7 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

—
2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

50 / 100
58 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

4 / 100
3 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
92 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,430°C2,606 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

30 kg CO₂/kg
20 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

47 MN·m/kg
43 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

10.4 mm²/s
27.8 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 scale

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC6YG3
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

C6 vs YG3 — frequently asked

What is the difference between C6 and YG3?

C6 and YG3 are both ceramic grades. YG3 is harder — 1,580 HV against 1,500 HV for C6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. C6 is lighter (11.5 g/cm³ vs 15.1 g/cm³ for YG3) and YG3 is stiffer (650 GPa vs 540 GPa).

Which is cheaper, C6 or YG3?

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 C6 over YG3?

Pick C6 when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat. Pick YG3 when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C6 and YG3 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.