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N-F2 vs SF6

Glass · grade comparison

N-F2 and SF6 are both glass grades. N-F2 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for SF6, about 13% more. N-F2 is harder — 450 HV against 350 HV for SF6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. N-F2 is lighter (2.65 g/cm³ vs 5.18 g/cm³ for SF6) and N-F2 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous).

N-F2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

N-F2 vs SF6: properties

N-F2SF6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

57 GPa8.3 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Shear Modulus

23.4 GPa3.4 Msi
22 GPa3.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

34 GPa4.9 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.24

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

45 MPa6.5 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Compressive Strength

800 MPa116 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Flexural Strength

60 MPa8.7 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Hardness, Vickers

450 HV
350 HV

Hardness, Knoop

420 HK
310 HK

Hardness, Mohs

5.5
5

Same in both: Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.65 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
5.18 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Refractive Index

1.62
1.805

Light Transmission

89%
84%

Same in both: Porosity 0%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.78 W/m·K0.45 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.67 W/m·K0.39 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

670 J/kg·K0.16 BTU/lb·°F
389 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8.2 µm/m·K4.6 µin/in·°F
8.1 µm/m·K4.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-200°C-328 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

—
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
9

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.001

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

22 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.9 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
10%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

17 kN·m/kg
8 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

21.5 MN·m/kg
10.6 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.4 mm²/s
0.3 mm²/s

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.

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

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityN-F2SF6
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

N-F2 vs SF6 — frequently asked

Is N-F2 stronger than SF6?

Yes. N-F2 has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for SF6 — about 13% more.

Which is cheaper, N-F2 or SF6?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, N-F2 or SF6?

N-F2, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 22/100 against 15/100 for SF6.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in N-F2 and SF6 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.