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Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) vs Borofloat 33

Glass · grade comparison

Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) and Borofloat 33 are both glass grades. Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Borofloat 33, about 29% more. Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) is harder — 540 HV against 480 HV for Borofloat 33 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Borofloat 33 is lighter (2.23 g/cm³ vs 2.82 g/cm³ for Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600)) and Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) is stiffer (72 GPa vs 64 GPa). On the shop floor, Borofloat 33 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) (premium, $$$).

Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600)Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Borofloat 33Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) vs Borofloat 33: properties

Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600)Borofloat 33

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

72 GPa10.4 Msi
64 GPa9.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

29 GPa4.2 Msi
26.7 GPa3.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

43 GPa6.2 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.2

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

45 MPa6.5 ksi
35 MPa5.1 ksi

Compressive Strength

900 MPa131 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Flexural Strength

70 MPa10.2 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Shear Strength

35 MPa5.1 ksi
25 MPa3.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.72 MPa·√m0.66 ksi·√in
0.77 MPa·√m0.7 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

540 HV
480 HV

Hardness, Knoop

470 HK
480 HK

Hardness, Mohs

5.8
6

Same in both: Elongation at Break 0%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.82 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.23 g/cm³0.08 lb/in³

Refractive Index

1.56
1.471

Light Transmission

90%
92%

Same in both: Porosity 0%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

1 W/m·K0.58 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.2 W/m·K0.69 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

790 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
830 J/kg·K0.2 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9.5 µm/m·K5.3 µin/in·°F
3.3 µm/m·K1.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

420°C788 °F
450°C842 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

25 kV/mm635 V/mil
30 kV/mm762 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

7
4.6

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.004
0.0037

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁵ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
92 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
12 / 100

Polishability

92 / 100
95 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

16 MJ/kg6,879 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.3 kg CO₂/kg
1.8 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

15%
10%

Same in both: Embodied Water 15 L/kg1.8 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
28.7 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.4 mm²/s
0.6 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 16 kN·m/kg · 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.

501002005002.533.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleBorofloat 33

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityBaria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600)Borofloat 33
Default condition—Annealed Glass
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) vs Borofloat 33 — frequently asked

Is Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) stronger than Borofloat 33?

Yes. Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Borofloat 33 — about 29% more.

Which is cheaper, Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) or Borofloat 33?

Borofloat 33 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) is premium ($$$). 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 Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) over Borofloat 33?

Pick Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters. Pick Borofloat 33 when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Baria-Alkali-Silica Glass (IEC G-600) and Borofloat 33 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.