CVD Diamond vs Silicon Carbide
Ceramic · grade comparison
CVD Diamond and Silicon Carbide are both ceramic grades. CVD Diamond is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Silicon Carbide, about 140% more. Silicon Carbide is lighter (3.15 g/cm³ vs 3.51 g/cm³ for CVD Diamond) and CVD Diamond is stiffer (1,050 GPa vs 410 GPa).
CVD DiamondChoose it when strength drives the design.
Silicon CarbideChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
CVD Diamond vs Silicon Carbide: 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)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Refractive Index
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)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
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
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
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 | CVD Diamond | Silicon Carbide |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
CVD Diamond vs Silicon Carbide — frequently asked
Is CVD Diamond stronger than Silicon Carbide?
Yes. CVD Diamond has a typical tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Silicon Carbide — about 140% more.
Which is cheaper, CVD Diamond or Silicon Carbide?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose CVD Diamond over Silicon Carbide?
Pick CVD Diamond when strength drives the design. Pick Silicon Carbide when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CVD Diamond and Silicon Carbide 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.