Borofloat 33 vs Gorilla Glass
Glass · grade comparison
Borofloat 33 and Gorilla Glass are both glass grades. Gorilla Glass is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Borofloat 33, about 10 times as much. Gorilla Glass is harder — 620 HV against 480 HV for Borofloat 33 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Borofloat 33 is lighter (2.23 g/cm³ vs 2.42 g/cm³ for Gorilla Glass) and Gorilla Glass is stiffer (72 GPa vs 64 GPa).
Borofloat 33Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Gorilla GlassChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Borofloat 33 vs Gorilla 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Elongation at Break 0% · Compressive Strength 1,000 MPa145 ksi
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).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Same in both: Polishability 95 / 100
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
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 | Gorilla Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed Glass | Chem Strengthened |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Borofloat 33 vs Gorilla Glass — frequently asked
Is Gorilla Glass stronger than Borofloat 33?
Yes. Gorilla Glass has a typical tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Borofloat 33 — about 10 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Borofloat 33 or Gorilla Glass?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Borofloat 33 or Gorilla Glass?
Borofloat 33, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 5/100 for Gorilla Glass.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Borofloat 33 and Gorilla 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.