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JGS1 vs ZERODUR

Glass · grade comparison

JGS1 and ZERODUR are both glass grades. JGS1 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for ZERODUR, about 67% more. JGS1 is harder — 750 HV against 620 HV for ZERODUR — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. JGS1 is lighter (2.2 g/cm³ vs 2.53 g/cm³ for ZERODUR) and ZERODUR is stiffer (90.3 GPa vs 72 GPa). On the shop floor, ZERODUR sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than JGS1 (high, $$$$).

JGS1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

ZERODURChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

JGS1 vs ZERODUR: properties

JGS1ZERODUR

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

72 GPa10.4 Msi
90.3 GPa13.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

31 GPa4.5 Msi
36.3 GPa5.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

37 GPa5.4 Msi
59 GPa8.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.17
0.24

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

50 MPa7.3 ksi
30 MPa4.4 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Compressive Strength

1,100 MPa160 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Flexural Strength

67 MPa9.7 ksi
51 MPa7.4 ksi

Shear Strength

70 MPa10.2 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.75 MPa·√m0.68 ksi·√in
0.9 MPa·√m0.82 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

750 HV
620 HV

Hardness, Knoop

600 HK
620 HK

Hardness, Mohs

6
6.2

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.2 g/cm³0.08 lb/in³
2.53 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,713°C3,115 °F
—

Refractive Index

1.459
1.542

Light Transmission

93%
88%

Same in both: Porosity 0%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

1.4 W/m·K0.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.5 W/m·K0.84 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

740 J/kg·K0.18 BTU/lb·°F
800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

0.55 µm/m·K0.31 µin/in·°F
0 µm/m·K0 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,050°C1,922 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-270°C-454 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·m3.94×10²³ µΩ·in
1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

30 kV/mm762 V/mil
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.8
7.4

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

1×10⁻⁴
0.0035

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁸ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

95 / 100
85 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

12 / 100
20 / 100

Polishability

98 / 100
96 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,800°C3,272 °F
850°C1,562 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
90 MJ/kg38,693 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
6.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
150 L/kg18 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

23 kN·m/kg
12 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

32.7 MN·m/kg
35.7 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.8 mm²/s
0.7 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.

501002005002.533.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleZERODUR

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityJGS1ZERODUR
Default condition—Annealed Glass
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

JGS1 vs ZERODUR — frequently asked

Is JGS1 stronger than ZERODUR?

Yes. JGS1 has a typical tensile strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for ZERODUR — about 67% more.

Which is cheaper, JGS1 or ZERODUR?

ZERODUR is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while JGS1 is high ($$$$). 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, JGS1 or ZERODUR?

ZERODUR. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for JGS1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in JGS1 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.