VK15 vs YG6
Ceramic · grade comparison
VK15 and YG6 are both ceramic grades. VK15 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) against 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) for YG6, about 9% more. YG6 is harder — 1,580 HV against 1,100 HV for VK15 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. VK15 is lighter (14 g/cm³ vs 14.9 g/cm³ for YG6) and YG6 is stiffer (630 GPa vs 520 GPa).
VK15Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
YG6Choose it when surface hardness matters.
VK15 vs YG6: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Shear Strength
Same in both: Elongation at Break 0.2%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,320°C2,408 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 220 J/kg·K0.05 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 600°C1,112 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 µΩ·in
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.
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 5 / 100 · Sintering / Firing Temperature 1,420°C2,588 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | VK15 | YG6 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
VK15 vs YG6 — frequently asked
Is VK15 stronger than YG6?
Yes. VK15 has a typical tensile strength of 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) against 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) for YG6 — about 9% more.
Which is cheaper, VK15 or YG6?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
When should I choose VK15 over YG6?
Pick VK15 when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint. Pick YG6 when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in VK15 and YG6 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.