Cordierite vs Wollastonite
Ceramic · grade comparison
Cordierite and Wollastonite are both ceramic grades. Wollastonite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Cordierite, about 14 times as much. Cordierite is harder — 700 HV against 380 HV for Wollastonite — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Cordierite is lighter (2.3 g/cm³ vs 2.87 g/cm³ for Wollastonite) and Wollastonite is stiffer (110 GPa vs 70 GPa). On the shop floor, Wollastonite machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Wollastonite sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Cordierite (high, $$$$).
CordieriteChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
WollastoniteChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
Cordierite vs Wollastonite: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Mohs
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Porosity
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 2.5 W/m·K1.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·cm
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
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
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 Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | Wollastonite |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Cordierite vs Wollastonite — frequently asked
Is Wollastonite stronger than Cordierite?
Yes. Wollastonite has a typical tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) for Cordierite — about 14 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Cordierite or Wollastonite?
Wollastonite is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Cordierite is high ($$$$). 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, Cordierite or Wollastonite?
Wollastonite. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (20/100) for Cordierite.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Cordierite and Wollastonite 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.