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C8 vs YG3

Ceramic · grade comparison

C8 and YG3 are both ceramic grades. YG3 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) against 900 MPa (131 ksi) for C8, about 22% more. C8 is lighter (10.4 g/cm³ vs 15.1 g/cm³ for YG3) and YG3 is stiffer (650 GPa vs 520 GPa).

C8Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

YG3Choose it when strength drives the design.

C8 vs YG3: properties

C8YG3

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

520 GPa75.4 Msi
650 GPa94.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

213 GPa30.9 Msi
268 GPa38.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

310 GPa45 Msi
385 GPa55.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.21

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

900 MPa131 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Compressive Strength

5,300 MPa769 ksi
6,000 MPa870 ksi

Flexural Strength

1,300 MPa189 ksi
1,200 MPa174 ksi

Shear Strength

800 MPa116 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

6.5 MPa·√m5.9 ksi·√in
8.5 MPa·√m7.7 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,650 HV
1,580 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,700 HK
1,500 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9.2
9

Same in both: Elongation at Break 0%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

10.4 g/cm³0.38 lb/in³
15.1 g/cm³0.55 lb/in³

Porosity

0.05%
0.02%

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

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

230 J/kg·K0.05 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)

900°C1,652 °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

5×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm
2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
58 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
3 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Polishability 92 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

90 MJ/kg38,693 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.5 kg CO₂/kg
20 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

87 kN·m/kg
73 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

50 MN·m/kg
43 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

12.5 mm²/s
27.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
34

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

CapabilityC8YG3
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

C8 vs YG3 — frequently asked

Is YG3 stronger than C8?

Yes. YG3 has a typical tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) against 900 MPa (131 ksi) for C8 — about 22% more.

Which is cheaper, C8 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 C8 over YG3?

Pick C8 when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat. Pick YG3 when strength drives the design.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C8 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.