E-Glass vs Soda-Lime Glass
Glass · grade comparison
E-Glass and Soda-Lime Glass are both glass grades. E-Glass is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 3,400 MPa (493 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Soda-Lime Glass, about 76 times as much. E-Glass is the more ductile: elongation 4.8% versus 0% for Soda-Lime Glass, and E-Glass is harder (600 HV vs 550 HV). Soda-Lime Glass is lighter (2.5 g/cm³ vs 2.58 g/cm³ for E-Glass) and E-Glass runs hotter in service (550°C vs 110°C continuous).
E-GlassChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Soda-Lime GlassChoose it when weight is the constraint.
E-Glass 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Flexural Strength
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 43 GPa6.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.22
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
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 Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 12 kV/mm305 V/mil
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
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 Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.5 mm²/s
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 | E-Glass | Soda-Lime Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
E-Glass vs Soda-Lime Glass — frequently asked
Is E-Glass stronger than Soda-Lime Glass?
Yes. E-Glass has a typical tensile strength of 3,400 MPa (493 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for Soda-Lime Glass — about 76 times as much.
Which is cheaper, E-Glass or Soda-Lime Glass?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, E-Glass or Soda-Lime Glass?
Soda-Lime Glass, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 20/100 against 15/100 for E-Glass.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E-Glass 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.