Material 61 vs PZT
Ceramic · grade comparison
Material 61 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 61, about 150% more. Material 61 is harder — 620 HV against 350 HV for PZT — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Material 61 is lighter (4.7 g/cm³ vs 7.75 g/cm³ for PZT) and Material 61 is stiffer (150 GPa vs 61 GPa). On the shop floor, Material 61 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than PZT (high, $$$$).
Material 61Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
PZTChoose it when strength drives the design.
Material 61 vs PZT: 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
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Mohs
Hardness, Knoop
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
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
Same in both: Sintering / Firing Temperature 1,250°C2,282 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
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 | Material 61 | PZT |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Material 61 vs PZT — frequently asked
Is PZT stronger than Material 61?
Yes. PZT has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Material 61 — about 150% more.
Which is cheaper, Material 61 or PZT?
Material 61 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while PZT 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 Material 61 over PZT?
Pick Material 61 when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint. Pick PZT when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Material 61 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.