Borofloat 33 vs Ceran
Glass · grade comparison
Borofloat 33 and Ceran are both glass grades. Borofloat 33 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Ceran, about 17% more. Ceran is harder — 640 HV against 480 HV for Borofloat 33 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Borofloat 33 is lighter (2.23 g/cm³ vs 2.55 g/cm³ for Ceran) and Ceran is stiffer (92 GPa vs 64 GPa). On the shop floor, Borofloat 33 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Ceran (high, $$$$).
Borofloat 33Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
CeranChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.
Borofloat 33 vs Ceran: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Porosity 0%
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)
Min Service Temperature
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).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 92 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Same in both: Machinability 12 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 10%
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 glass grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Borofloat 33 | Ceran |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed Glass | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Borofloat 33 vs Ceran — frequently asked
Is Borofloat 33 stronger than Ceran?
Yes. Borofloat 33 has a typical tensile strength of 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for Ceran — about 17% more.
Which is cheaper, Borofloat 33 or Ceran?
Borofloat 33 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Ceran 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 Borofloat 33 over Ceran?
Pick Borofloat 33 when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint. Pick Ceran when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Borofloat 33 and Ceran 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.