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Silicon Carbide vs TiN

Ceramic · grade comparison

Silicon Carbide and TiN are both ceramic grades. Silicon Carbide is harder — 2,500 HV against 1,900 HV for TiN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Silicon Carbide is lighter (3.15 g/cm³ vs 5.22 g/cm³ for TiN) and Silicon Carbide is stiffer (410 GPa vs 250 GPa).

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

Silicon Carbide vs TiN: properties

Silicon CarbideTiN

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

410 GPa59.5 Msi
250 GPa36.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

175 GPa25.4 Msi
—

Bulk Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
290 GPa42.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.16
0.25

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
—

Compressive Strength

3,000 MPa435 ksi
1,400 MPa203 ksi

Flexural Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
350 MPa50.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
4 MPa·√m3.6 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

2,500 HV
1,900 HV

Hardness, Knoop

2,600 HK
1,800 HK

Hardness, Mohs

9.3
9

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.15 g/cm³0.11 lb/in³
5.22 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

2,730°C4,946 °F
2,950°C5,342 °F

Refractive Index

2.65
—

Porosity

0.3%
2%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

120 W/m·K69.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
29 W/m·K16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

700 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F
600 J/kg·K0.14 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,600°C2,912 °F
600°C1,112 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-250°C-418 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

10 Ω·m3.94×10⁸ µΩ·in
3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1,000 Ω·cm
3×10⁻⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
75 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

3 / 100
8 / 100

Polishability

92 / 100
85 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

2,100°C3,812 °F
1,800°C3,272 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb
200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
15 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

2%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

130.2 MN·m/kg
47.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

54.4 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 scaleSilicon Carbide

Manufacturing and finishing

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

Silicon Carbide vs TiN — frequently asked

What is the difference between Silicon Carbide and TiN?

Silicon Carbide and TiN are both ceramic grades. Silicon Carbide is harder — 2,500 HV against 1,900 HV for TiN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Silicon Carbide is lighter (3.15 g/cm³ vs 5.22 g/cm³ for TiN) and Silicon Carbide is stiffer (410 GPa vs 250 GPa).

Which is cheaper, Silicon Carbide 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.

Which is easier to machine, Silicon Carbide or TiN?

TiN, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 8/100 against 3/100 for Silicon Carbide.

Ready to make it?

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