MG Carbon Brush vs Natural Flake Graphite
Ceramic · grade comparison
MG Carbon Brush and Natural Flake Graphite are both ceramic grades. MG Carbon Brush is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Natural Flake Graphite, about 150% more. Natural Flake Graphite is lighter (2.24 g/cm³ vs 3.6 g/cm³ for MG Carbon Brush) and MG Carbon Brush is stiffer (13 GPa vs 10 GPa). On the shop floor, Natural Flake Graphite sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than MG Carbon Brush (high, $$$$).
MG Carbon BrushChoose it when strength drives the design.
Natural Flake GraphiteChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
MG Carbon Brush vs Natural Flake Graphite: 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.
MG Carbon BrushNatural Flake Graphite
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Elongation at Break
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Hardness, Vickers 12 HV · Hardness, Mohs 1.5
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
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 85 / 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
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 | MG Carbon Brush | Natural Flake Graphite |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
MG Carbon Brush vs Natural Flake Graphite — frequently asked
Is MG Carbon Brush stronger than Natural Flake Graphite?
Yes. MG Carbon Brush has a typical tensile strength of 20 MPa (2.9 ksi) against 8 MPa (1.16 ksi) for Natural Flake Graphite — about 150% more.
Which is cheaper, MG Carbon Brush or Natural Flake Graphite?
Natural Flake Graphite is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while MG Carbon Brush is high ($$$$). 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 MG Carbon Brush over Natural Flake Graphite?
Pick MG Carbon Brush when strength drives the design. Pick Natural Flake Graphite when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MG Carbon Brush and Natural Flake Graphite 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.