Steatite vs Wollastonite
Ceramic · grade comparison
Steatite and Wollastonite are both ceramic grades. Wollastonite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for Steatite, about 5.8 times as much. Wollastonite is the more ductile: elongation 0.1% versus 0% for Steatite, and Steatite is harder (650 HV vs 380 HV). Wollastonite is stiffer (110 GPa vs 100 GPa). On the shop floor, Wollastonite machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and Wollastonite sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Steatite (high, $$$$).
WollastoniteChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Steatite vs Wollastonite: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Shear Strength
Same in both: Shear Modulus 40 GPa5.8 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Porosity
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 2.5 W/m·K1.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 1,000°C1,832 °F · 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 | Steatite | Wollastonite |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Steatite vs Wollastonite — frequently asked
Is Wollastonite stronger than Steatite?
Yes. Wollastonite has a typical tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for Steatite — about 5.8 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Steatite or Wollastonite?
Wollastonite is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Steatite is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Steatite or Wollastonite?
Wollastonite. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against not recommended (8/100) for Steatite.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Steatite and Wollastonite 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.