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Silicon Carbide vs TiC

Ceramic · grade comparison

Silicon Carbide and TiC are both ceramic grades. TiC is harder — 3,000 HV against 2,500 HV for Silicon Carbide — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Silicon Carbide is lighter (3.15 g/cm³ vs 4.93 g/cm³ for TiC) and TiC is stiffer (445 GPa vs 410 GPa).

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

TiCChoose it when surface hardness matters.

Silicon Carbide vs TiC: properties

Silicon CarbideTiC

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

410 GPa59.5 Msi
445 GPa64.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
186 GPa27 Msi

Bulk Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
240 GPa34.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.16
0.19

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

3,000 MPa435 ksi
2,800 MPa406 ksi

Flexural Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
3.2 MPa·√m2.9 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

2,500 HV
3,000 HV

Hardness, Knoop

2,600 HK
2,700 HK

Same in both: Hardness, Mohs 9.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.15 g/cm³0.11 lb/in³
4.93 g/cm³0.18 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,730°C4,946 °F
3,067°C5,553 °F

Refractive Index

2.65
—

Porosity

0.3%
0.7%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

120 W/m·K69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
21 W/m·K12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

700 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F
565 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F
7.7 µm/m·K4.3 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,600°C2,912 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

10 Ω·m3.94×10⁸ µΩ·in
5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m20.5 µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1,000 Ω·cm
5.2×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Polishability

92 / 100
85 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

2,100°C3,812 °F
2,000°C3,632 °F

Same in both: Machinability 3 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb
150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
14 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

2%
5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

130.2 MN·m/kg
90.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

54.4 mm²/s
7.5 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 scaleSilicon Carbide

Manufacturing and finishing

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

Silicon Carbide vs TiC — frequently asked

What is the difference between Silicon Carbide and TiC?

Silicon Carbide and TiC are both ceramic grades. TiC is harder — 3,000 HV against 2,500 HV for Silicon Carbide — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Silicon Carbide is lighter (3.15 g/cm³ vs 4.93 g/cm³ for TiC) and TiC is stiffer (445 GPa vs 410 GPa).

Which is cheaper, Silicon Carbide or TiC?

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 Silicon Carbide over TiC?

Pick Silicon Carbide when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat. Pick TiC when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Silicon Carbide and TiC 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.