MgO Ceramic vs MgO-dense
Ceramic · grade comparison
MgO Ceramic and MgO-dense are both ceramic grades. MgO Ceramic is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for MgO-dense, about 5% more. MgO Ceramic is harder — 620 HV against 550 HV for MgO-dense — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. MgO-dense runs hotter in service (1,900°C vs 1,700°C continuous) and MgO-dense conducts heat better (45 W/m·K vs 40 W/m·K). On the shop floor, MgO Ceramic sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than MgO-dense (high, $$$$).
MgO CeramicChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
MgO-denseChoose it when the part sees heat.
MgO Ceramic vs MgO-dense: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 300 GPa43.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 128 GPa18.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.18 · Flexural Strength 170 MPa24.7 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Porosity
Same in both: Density 3.55 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 2,800°C5,072 °F · Refractive Index 1.736
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 935 J/kg·K0.22 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 12 kV/mm305 V/mil · Dielectric Constant (1 MHz) 9.7 · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 4×10⁻⁴ · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
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 1,700°C3,092 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 25 L/kg3 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 5%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 84.5 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | MgO Ceramic | MgO-dense |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
MgO Ceramic vs MgO-dense — frequently asked
Is MgO Ceramic stronger than MgO-dense?
Yes. MgO Ceramic has a typical tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for MgO-dense — about 5% more.
Which is cheaper, MgO Ceramic or MgO-dense?
MgO Ceramic is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while MgO-dense 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 MgO Ceramic over MgO-dense?
Pick MgO Ceramic when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters. Pick MgO-dense when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MgO Ceramic and MgO-dense 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.