MgO Ceramic vs Silica Aerogel
Ceramic · grade comparison
MgO Ceramic and Silica Aerogel are both ceramic grades. MgO Ceramic is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi) for Silica Aerogel, about 5000 times as much. Silica Aerogel is lighter (0.1 g/cm³ vs 3.55 g/cm³ for MgO Ceramic) and MgO Ceramic is stiffer (300 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, MgO Ceramic machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and MgO Ceramic sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Silica Aerogel (high, $$$$).
MgO CeramicChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Silica AerogelChoose it when weight is the constraint.
MgO Ceramic vs Silica Aerogel: 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)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Refractive Index
Porosity
Light Transmission
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)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · 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
Sintering / Firing Temperature
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 | MgO Ceramic | Silica Aerogel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
MgO Ceramic vs Silica Aerogel — frequently asked
Is MgO Ceramic stronger than Silica Aerogel?
Yes. MgO Ceramic has a typical tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 0.02 MPa (0.0029 ksi) for Silica Aerogel — about 5000 times as much.
Which is cheaper, MgO Ceramic or Silica Aerogel?
MgO Ceramic is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Silica Aerogel 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, MgO Ceramic or Silica Aerogel?
MgO Ceramic. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (8/100) for Silica Aerogel.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MgO Ceramic and Silica Aerogel 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.