Cordierite vs Grade A Lava
Ceramic · grade comparison
Cordierite and Grade A Lava are both ceramic grades. Cordierite is harder — 700 HV against 350 HV for Grade A Lava — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Cordierite is stiffer (70 GPa vs 50 GPa) and Cordierite runs hotter in service (1,250°C vs 1,090°C continuous).
CordieriteChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.
Cordierite vs Grade A Lava: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 25 MPa3.6 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Porosity
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 -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
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.
Machinability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Same in both: Polishability 35 / 100
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 Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 11 kN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
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 | Cordierite | Grade A Lava |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Cordierite vs Grade A Lava — frequently asked
What is the difference between Cordierite and Grade A Lava?
Cordierite and Grade A Lava are both ceramic grades. Cordierite is harder — 700 HV against 350 HV for Grade A Lava — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Cordierite is stiffer (70 GPa vs 50 GPa) and Cordierite runs hotter in service (1,250°C vs 1,090°C continuous).
Which is cheaper, Cordierite or Grade A Lava?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Cordierite or Grade A Lava?
Cordierite, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 20/100 against 15/100 for Grade A Lava.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Cordierite and Grade A Lava 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.