GaAs vs N-BK7
Glass · grade comparison
GaAs and N-BK7 are both glass grades. GaAs is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for N-BK7, about 40% more. N-BK7 is lighter (2.51 g/cm³ vs 5.32 g/cm³ for GaAs) and N-BK7 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 460°C continuous). On the shop floor, GaAs machines more easily (fair vs poor) and N-BK7 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than GaAs (high, $$$$).
GaAsChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
N-BK7Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.
GaAs vs N-BK7: 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
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 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
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%
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 | GaAs | N-BK7 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Annealed Glass |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
GaAs vs N-BK7 — frequently asked
Is GaAs stronger than N-BK7?
Yes. GaAs has a typical tensile strength of 70 MPa (10.2 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for N-BK7 — about 40% more.
Which is cheaper, GaAs or N-BK7?
N-BK7 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while GaAs is high ($$$$). 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, GaAs or N-BK7?
GaAs. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (18/100) for N-BK7.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in GaAs and N-BK7 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.