Electrical Porcelain vs Steatite
Ceramic · grade comparison
Electrical Porcelain and Steatite are both ceramic grades. Steatite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Electrical Porcelain, about 100% more. Electrical Porcelain is lighter (2.35 g/cm³ vs 2.8 g/cm³ for Steatite) and Steatite is stiffer (100 GPa vs 70 GPa). On the shop floor, Electrical Porcelain sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Steatite (high, $$$$).
Electrical PorcelainChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
SteatiteChoose it when strength drives the design.
Electrical Porcelain vs Steatite: 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
Same in both: Elongation at Break 0% · Hardness, Knoop 600 HK
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,000°C1,832 °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.
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Same in both: Machinability 8 / 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 Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: 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 | Electrical Porcelain | Steatite |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Electrical Porcelain vs Steatite — frequently asked
Is Steatite stronger than Electrical Porcelain?
Yes. Steatite has a typical tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Electrical Porcelain — about 100% more.
Which is cheaper, Electrical Porcelain or Steatite?
Electrical Porcelain is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Steatite is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose Electrical Porcelain over Steatite?
Pick Electrical Porcelain when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor. Pick Steatite when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Electrical Porcelain and Steatite 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.