Glassy Carbon vs Graphite Felt
Ceramic · grade comparison
Glassy Carbon and Graphite Felt are both ceramic grades. Glassy Carbon is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) for Graphite Felt, about 433 times as much. In exchange, Graphite Felt is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 0.4% for Glassy Carbon. Graphite Felt is lighter (0.1 g/cm³ vs 1.42 g/cm³ for Glassy Carbon) and Glassy Carbon is stiffer (35 GPa vs 0 GPa). On the shop floor, Graphite Felt machines more easily (excellent vs not recommended).
Glassy CarbonChoose it when strength drives the design.
Graphite FeltChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Glassy Carbon vs Graphite Felt: 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, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
Melting Point (Solidus)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 710 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
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 Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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 | Glassy Carbon | Graphite Felt |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Glassy Carbon vs Graphite Felt — frequently asked
Is Glassy Carbon stronger than Graphite Felt?
Yes. Glassy Carbon has a typical tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) against 0.3 MPa (0.0435 ksi) for Graphite Felt — about 433 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Glassy Carbon or Graphite Felt?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Glassy Carbon or Graphite Felt?
Graphite Felt. Its machinability rates excellent (95/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Glassy Carbon.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Glassy Carbon and Graphite Felt 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.