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CeO2 vs MgO Ceramic

Ceramic · grade comparison

CeO2 and MgO Ceramic are both ceramic grades. MgO Ceramic is lighter (3.55 g/cm³ vs 7.15 g/cm³ for CeO2) and MgO Ceramic is stiffer (300 GPa vs 180 GPa). On the shop floor, MgO Ceramic machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and MgO Ceramic sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than CeO2 (premium, $$$).

MgO CeramicChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.

CeO2 vs MgO Ceramic: properties

CeO2MgO Ceramic

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
300 GPa43.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

70 GPa10.2 Msi
128 GPa18.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
155 GPa22.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.18

Compressive Strength

550 MPa79.8 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Flexural Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.5 MPa·√m1.4 ksi·√in
1.6 MPa·√m1.5 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

600 HV
620 HV

Hardness, Knoop

560 HK
590 HK

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

—
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Same in both: Hardness, Mohs 6

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.15 g/cm³0.26 lb/in³
3.55 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,400°C4,352 °F
2,800°C5,072 °F

Refractive Index

2.15
1.736

Same in both: Porosity 2%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

12 W/m·K6.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

360 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
935 J/kg·K0.22 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10 µm/m·K5.6 µin/in·°F
13.5 µm/m·K7.5 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,700°C3,092 °F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

100,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹² µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

23
9.7

Volume Resistivity

1×10⁷ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—
12 kV/mm305 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
4×10⁻⁴

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
22 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
65 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,550°C2,822 °F
1,700°C3,092 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

220 MJ/kg94,583 BTU/lb
40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
25 L/kg3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.2 MN·m/kg
84.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

4.7 mm²/s
12.1 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

CapabilityCeO2MgO Ceramic
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

CeO2 vs MgO Ceramic — frequently asked

What is the difference between CeO2 and MgO Ceramic?

CeO2 and MgO Ceramic are both ceramic grades. MgO Ceramic is lighter (3.55 g/cm³ vs 7.15 g/cm³ for CeO2) and MgO Ceramic is stiffer (300 GPa vs 180 GPa). On the shop floor, MgO Ceramic machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and MgO Ceramic sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than CeO2 (premium, $$$).

Which is cheaper, CeO2 or MgO Ceramic?

MgO Ceramic is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while CeO2 is premium ($$$). 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, CeO2 or MgO Ceramic?

MgO Ceramic. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (8/100) for CeO2.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CeO2 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.