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PZT vs Y5V

Ceramic · grade comparison

PZT and Y5V are both ceramic grades. PZT is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) for Y5V, about 7% more. Y5V is harder — 570 HV against 350 HV for PZT — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Y5V is lighter (5.7 g/cm³ vs 7.75 g/cm³ for PZT) and Y5V is stiffer (118 GPa vs 61 GPa).

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

Y5VChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

PZT vs Y5V: properties

PZTY5V

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

61 GPa8.8 Msi
118 GPa17.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

23 GPa3.3 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

55 GPa8 Msi
96 GPa13.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

75 MPa10.9 ksi
70 MPa10.2 ksi

Compressive Strength

600 MPa87 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Flexural Strength

85 MPa12.3 ksi
130 MPa18.9 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

350 HV
570 HV

Hardness, Knoop

330 HK
—

Hardness, Mohs

5
5.5

Elongation at Break

—
0.1%

Shear Strength

—
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Same in both: Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
5.7 g/cm³0.21 lb/in³

Porosity

1%
0.5%

Melting Point (Solidus)

—
1,618°C2,944 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

1.3 W/m·K0.75 BTU/hr·ft·°F
3 W/m·K1.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

380 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F
450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

175°C347 °F
85°C185 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

5 kV/mm127 V/mil
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

1,700
12,000

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.02
0.05

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
85 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
5 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100 · Sintering / Firing Temperature 1,250°C2,282 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
0%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

10 kN·m/kg
12 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

7.9 MN·m/kg
20.7 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.4 mm²/s
1.2 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

CapabilityPZTY5V
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PZT vs Y5V — frequently asked

Is PZT stronger than Y5V?

Yes. PZT has a typical tensile strength of 75 MPa (10.9 ksi) against 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) for Y5V — about 7% more.

Which is cheaper, PZT or Y5V?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

When should I choose PZT over Y5V?

Pick PZT when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat. Pick Y5V when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PZT and Y5V 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.