Steatite vs Zircon
Ceramic · grade comparison
Steatite and Zircon are both ceramic grades. Zircon is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for Steatite, about 33% more. Zircon is harder — 1,150 HV against 650 HV for Steatite — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Steatite is lighter (2.8 g/cm³ vs 3.7 g/cm³ for Zircon) and Zircon is stiffer (190 GPa vs 100 GPa). On the shop floor, Zircon sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Steatite (high, $$$$).
SteatiteChoose it when weight is the constraint.
ZirconChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Steatite vs Zircon: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.25
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Porosity
Refractive Index
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 Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 12 kV/mm305 V/mil
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
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
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 | Zircon |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Steatite vs Zircon — frequently asked
Is Zircon stronger than Steatite?
Yes. Zircon has a typical tensile strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) against 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) for Steatite — about 33% more.
Which is cheaper, Steatite or Zircon?
Zircon is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard 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.
When should I choose Steatite over Zircon?
Pick Steatite when weight is the constraint. Pick Zircon when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Steatite and Zircon 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.