Sialon vs Silicon Carbide
Ceramic · grade comparison
Sialon and Silicon Carbide are both ceramic grades. Sialon is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Silicon Carbide, about 40% more. Silicon Carbide is harder — 2,500 HV against 1,550 HV for Sialon — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Silicon Carbide is lighter (3.15 g/cm³ vs 3.25 g/cm³ for Sialon) and Silicon Carbide is stiffer (410 GPa vs 288 GPa).
SialonChoose it when strength drives the design.
Silicon CarbideChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Sialon vs Silicon Carbide: 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
Same in both: Porosity 0.3%
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.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
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 | Sialon | Silicon Carbide |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Sialon vs Silicon Carbide — frequently asked
Is Sialon stronger than Silicon Carbide?
Yes. Sialon has a typical tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for Silicon Carbide — about 40% more.
Which is cheaper, Sialon or Silicon Carbide?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose Sialon over Silicon Carbide?
Pick Sialon when strength drives the design. Pick Silicon Carbide when surface hardness matters, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sialon and Silicon Carbide 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.