Ceran vs ZERODUR
Glass · grade comparison
Ceran and ZERODUR are both glass grades. Ceran runs hotter in service (700°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, ZERODUR sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Ceran (high, $$$$).
CeranChoose it when the part sees heat.
ZERODURChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
Ceran vs ZERODUR: 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
Flexural Strength
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 30 MPa4.4 ksi · Compressive Strength 500 MPa72.5 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 0.9 MPa·√m0.82 ksi·√in
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
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 Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 12 kN·m/kg
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 | Ceran | ZERODUR |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Annealed Glass |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Ceran vs ZERODUR — frequently asked
What is the difference between Ceran and ZERODUR?
Ceran and ZERODUR are both glass grades. Ceran runs hotter in service (700°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, ZERODUR sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Ceran (high, $$$$).
Which is cheaper, Ceran or ZERODUR?
ZERODUR is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) 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.
Which is easier to machine, Ceran or ZERODUR?
ZERODUR. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for Ceran.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ceran and ZERODUR 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.