Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) vs Soda-Lime Glass
Glass · grade comparison
Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) and Soda-Lime Glass are both glass grades. Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Soda-Lime Glass, about 33% more. Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) is harder — 620 HV against 550 HV for Soda-Lime Glass — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Soda-Lime Glass is lighter (2.5 g/cm³ vs 2.6 g/cm³ for Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400)) and Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) is stiffer (87 GPa vs 72 GPa). On the shop floor, Soda-Lime Glass sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) (premium, $$$).
Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Soda-Lime GlassChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) vs Soda-Lime Glass: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all glass 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 glass 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.
Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400)Soda-Lime Glass
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
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Elongation at Break 0%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Refractive Index
Same in both: Light Transmission 90% · Porosity 0%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 840 J/kg·K0.2 BTU/lb·°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
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)
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.5 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every glass grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) | Soda-Lime Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) vs Soda-Lime Glass — frequently asked
Is Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) stronger than Soda-Lime Glass?
Yes. Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) has a typical tensile strength of 60 MPa (8.7 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Soda-Lime Glass — about 33% more.
Which is cheaper, Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) or Soda-Lime Glass?
Soda-Lime Glass is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) is premium ($$$). 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, Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) or Soda-Lime Glass?
Soda-Lime Glass. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alumina-Lime-Silica Glass (IEC G-400) and Soda-Lime Glass 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.