Borofloat 33 vs Soda-Lime Glass
Glass · grade comparison
Borofloat 33 and Soda-Lime Glass are both glass grades. Soda-Lime Glass 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. Soda-Lime Glass is harder — 550 HV against 480 HV for Borofloat 33 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Borofloat 33 is lighter (2.23 g/cm³ vs 2.5 g/cm³ for Soda-Lime Glass) and Soda-Lime Glass is stiffer (72 GPa vs 64 GPa). On the shop floor, Soda-Lime Glass sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Borofloat 33 (standard, $$).
Borofloat 33Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
Soda-Lime GlassChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Borofloat 33 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.
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, Mohs
Same in both: Elongation at Break 0% · Hardness, Knoop 480 HK
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
Same in both: 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 | Borofloat 33 | Soda-Lime Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed Glass | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Borofloat 33 vs Soda-Lime Glass — frequently asked
Is Soda-Lime Glass stronger than Borofloat 33?
Yes. Soda-Lime Glass 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, Borofloat 33 or Soda-Lime Glass?
Soda-Lime Glass is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Borofloat 33 is standard ($$). 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 Soda-Lime Glass?
Soda-Lime Glass. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Borofloat 33.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Borofloat 33 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.