MgO Ceramic vs Spinel
Ceramic · grade comparison
MgO Ceramic and Spinel are both ceramic grades. Spinel is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for MgO Ceramic, about 20% more. Spinel is harder — 1,350 HV against 620 HV for MgO Ceramic — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. MgO Ceramic is stiffer (300 GPa vs 265 GPa) and MgO Ceramic conducts heat better (40 W/m·K vs 15 W/m·K). On the shop floor, MgO Ceramic machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and MgO Ceramic sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Spinel (high, $$$$).
MgO CeramicChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
SpinelChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
MgO Ceramic vs Spinel: 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.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Refractive Index
Porosity
Light Transmission
Same in both: Density 3.55 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³
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.
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
Same in both: 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 | Spinel |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
MgO Ceramic vs Spinel — frequently asked
Is Spinel stronger than MgO Ceramic?
Yes. Spinel has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for MgO Ceramic — about 20% more.
Which is cheaper, MgO Ceramic or Spinel?
MgO Ceramic is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Spinel 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 Spinel?
MgO Ceramic. Its machinability rates poor (22/100) against not recommended (5/100) for Spinel.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MgO Ceramic and Spinel 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.