Borofloat 33 vs Pyroceram 9606
Glass · grade comparison
Borofloat 33 and Pyroceram 9606 are both glass grades. Pyroceram 9606 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Borofloat 33, about 3.4 times as much. Pyroceram 9606 is harder — 700 HV against 480 HV for Borofloat 33 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Borofloat 33 is lighter (2.23 g/cm³ vs 2.6 g/cm³ for Pyroceram 9606) and Pyroceram 9606 is stiffer (120 GPa vs 64 GPa). On the shop floor, Borofloat 33 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Pyroceram 9606 (high, $$$$).
Borofloat 33Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Pyroceram 9606Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Borofloat 33 vs Pyroceram 9606: 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)
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
Light Transmission
Melting Point (Solidus)
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
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
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 | Pyroceram 9606 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed Glass | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Borofloat 33 vs Pyroceram 9606 — frequently asked
Is Pyroceram 9606 stronger than Borofloat 33?
Yes. Pyroceram 9606 has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Borofloat 33 — about 3.4 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Borofloat 33 or Pyroceram 9606?
Borofloat 33 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Pyroceram 9606 is high ($$$$). 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, Borofloat 33 or Pyroceram 9606?
Borofloat 33, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 5/100 for Pyroceram 9606.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Borofloat 33 and Pyroceram 9606 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.