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PC44 vs PZT

Ceramic · grade comparison

PC44 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 PC44, about 150% more. PC44 is harder — 600 HV against 350 HV for PZT — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. PC44 is lighter (4.8 g/cm³ vs 7.75 g/cm³ for PZT) and PC44 is stiffer (150 GPa vs 61 GPa). On the shop floor, PC44 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than PZT (high, $$$$).

PC44Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

PZTChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

PC44 vs PZT: properties

PC44PZT

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

150 GPa21.8 Msi
61 GPa8.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

59 GPa8.6 Msi
23 GPa3.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

114 GPa16.5 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.31

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

30 MPa4.4 ksi
75 MPa10.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Compressive Strength

500 MPa72.5 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Flexural Strength

65 MPa9.4 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi

Shear Strength

45 MPa6.5 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in
1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

600 HV
350 HV

Hardness, Mohs

6
5

Hardness, Knoop

—
330 HK

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

4.8 g/cm³0.17 lb/in³
7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Porosity

3%
1%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

4 W/m·K2.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.3 W/m·K0.75 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

750 J/kg·K0.18 BTU/lb·°F
380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10 µm/m·K5.6 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
175°C347 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

6.5 Ω·m2.56×10⁸ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

650 Ω·cm
1×10¹² Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—
5 kV/mm127 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
1,700

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.02

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,250°C2,282 °F

Same in both: Machinability 8 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

10%
5%

Embodied Water

—
60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

6 kN·m/kg
10 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

31.3 MN·m/kg
7.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.1 mm²/s
0.4 mm²/s

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.

501002005001,000234567Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePZT

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPC44PZT
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PC44 vs PZT — frequently asked

Is PZT stronger than PC44?

Yes. PZT has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for PC44 — about 150% more.

Which is cheaper, PC44 or PZT?

PC44 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 PC44 over PZT?

Pick PC44 when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint. Pick PZT when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PC44 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.