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Impervious Graphite vs Prebaked Carbon Anode

Ceramic · grade comparison

Impervious Graphite and Prebaked Carbon Anode are both ceramic grades. Impervious Graphite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) for Prebaked Carbon Anode, about 4.5 times as much. Prebaked Carbon Anode is lighter (1.56 g/cm³ vs 1.8 g/cm³ for Impervious Graphite) and Impervious Graphite is stiffer (12 GPa vs 6 GPa). On the shop floor, Impervious Graphite machines more easily (very good vs good) and Prebaked Carbon Anode sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Impervious Graphite (high, $$$$).

Impervious GraphiteChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

Prebaked Carbon AnodeChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

Impervious Graphite vs Prebaked Carbon Anode: properties

Impervious GraphitePrebaked Carbon Anode

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

12 GPa1.7 Msi
6 GPa0.87 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

25 MPa3.6 ksi
6 MPa0.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.3%
—

Compressive Strength

95 MPa13.8 ksi
38 MPa5.5 ksi

Flexural Strength

50 MPa7.3 ksi
11 MPa1.6 ksi

Shear Strength

18 MPa2.6 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in
1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

50 HV
—

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.2 · Hardness, Mohs 2

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.8 g/cm³0.07 lb/in³
1.56 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³

Porosity

0.5%
22%

Melting Point (Solidus)

—
3,600°C6,512 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

125 W/m·K72.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
4 W/m·K2.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

710 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F
800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

170°C338 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.2×10⁻⁵ Ω·m472 µΩ·in
5.5×10⁻⁵ Ω·m2,165 µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

0 Ω·cm
0.01 Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

80 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
—

Sintering / Firing Temperature

2,800°C5,072 °F
1,150°C2,102 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb
40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
1.1 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

0%
18%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

14 kN·m/kg
4 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.7 MN·m/kg
3.8 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

97.8 mm²/s
3.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

58
1

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.

501002005001,000234567Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityImpervious GraphitePrebaked Carbon Anode
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Impervious Graphite vs Prebaked Carbon Anode — frequently asked

Is Impervious Graphite stronger than Prebaked Carbon Anode?

Yes. Impervious Graphite has a typical tensile strength of 25 MPa (3.63 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) for Prebaked Carbon Anode — about 4.5 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Impervious Graphite or Prebaked Carbon Anode?

Prebaked Carbon Anode is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Impervious Graphite 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, Impervious Graphite or Prebaked Carbon Anode?

Impervious Graphite. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against good (65/100) for Prebaked Carbon Anode.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Impervious Graphite and Prebaked Carbon Anode 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.