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Material 43 vs PZT

Ceramic · grade comparison

Material 43 and PZT are both ceramic grades. PZT is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Material 43, about 150% more. Material 43 is harder — 600 HV against 350 HV for PZT — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Material 43 is lighter (4.75 g/cm³ vs 7.75 g/cm³ for PZT) and Material 43 is stiffer (130 GPa vs 61 GPa).

Material 43Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

PZTChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Material 43 vs PZT: properties

Material 43PZT

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

130 GPa18.9 Msi
61 GPa8.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

52 GPa7.5 Msi
23 GPa3.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

100 GPa14.5 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Compressive Strength

550 MPa79.8 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Flexural Strength

70 MPa10.2 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Shear Strength

50 MPa7.3 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Hardness, Vickers

600 HV
350 HV

Hardness, Mohs

6
5

Hardness, Knoop

—
330 HK

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

4.75 g/cm³0.17 lb/in³
7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,550°C2,822 °F
—

Porosity

3.5%
1%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

4.5 W/m·K2.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.3 W/m·K0.75 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

750 J/kg·K0.18 BTU/lb·°F
380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

125°C257 °F
175°C347 °F

Min Service Temperature

-55°C-67 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

15
1,700

Volume Resistivity

100,000 Ω·cm
1×10¹² Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—
5 kV/mm127 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.02

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 8 / 100 · Sintering / Firing Temperature 1,250°C2,282 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

10%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.4 MN·m/kg
7.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.3 mm²/s
0.4 mm²/s

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.

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

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityMaterial 43PZT
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Material 43 vs PZT — frequently asked

Is PZT stronger than Material 43?

Yes. PZT has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Material 43 — about 150% more.

Which is cheaper, Material 43 or PZT?

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 Material 43 over PZT?

Pick Material 43 when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint. Pick PZT when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Material 43 and PZT 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.