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Sialon vs TiN

Ceramic · grade comparison

Sialon and TiN are both ceramic grades. TiN is harder — 1,900 HV against 1,550 HV for Sialon — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sialon is lighter (3.25 g/cm³ vs 5.22 g/cm³ for TiN) and Sialon is stiffer (288 GPa vs 250 GPa).

SialonChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

TiNChoose it when surface hardness matters.

Sialon vs TiN: properties

SialonTiN

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

288 GPa41.8 Msi
250 GPa36.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

113 GPa16.4 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
290 GPa42.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.27
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

350 MPa50.8 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

3,500 MPa508 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Flexural Strength

945 MPa137 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

7.7 MPa·√m7 ksi·√in
4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

1,550 HV
1,900 HV

Hardness, Knoop

1,450 HK
1,800 HK

Same in both: Hardness, Mohs 9

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.25 g/cm³0.12 lb/in³
5.22 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,800°C3,272 °F
2,950°C5,342 °F

Porosity

0.3%
2%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

690 J/kg·K0.16 BTU/lb·°F
600 J/kg·K0.14 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

3 µm/m·K1.7 µin/in·°F
9.4 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,200°C2,192 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-250°C-418 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

15 kV/mm381 V/mil
—

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

7.9
—

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.002
—

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·cm
3×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

90 / 100
75 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

4 / 100
8 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,750°C3,182 °F
1,800°C3,272 °F

Same in both: Polishability 85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

230 MJ/kg98,882 BTU/lb
200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
15 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

250 L/kg30 gal/lb
—

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

88.6 MN·m/kg
47.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

9.4 mm²/s
9.3 mm²/s

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 scale

Manufacturing and finishing

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

Sialon vs TiN — frequently asked

What is the difference between Sialon and TiN?

Sialon and TiN are both ceramic grades. TiN is harder — 1,900 HV against 1,550 HV for Sialon — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Sialon is lighter (3.25 g/cm³ vs 5.22 g/cm³ for TiN) and Sialon is stiffer (288 GPa vs 250 GPa).

Which is cheaper, Sialon or TiN?

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 TiN?

Pick Sialon when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat. Pick TiN when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sialon and TiN 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.