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N-LaK9 vs SF6

Glass · grade comparison

N-LaK9 and SF6 are both glass grades. N-LaK9 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for SF6, about 38% more. N-LaK9 is harder — 640 HV against 350 HV for SF6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. N-LaK9 is lighter (3.51 g/cm³ vs 5.18 g/cm³ for SF6) and N-LaK9 is stiffer (110 GPa vs 55 GPa).

N-LaK9Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

N-LaK9 vs SF6: properties

N-LaK9SF6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Shear Modulus

42.7 GPa6.2 Msi
22 GPa3.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

86 GPa12.5 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.24

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

55 MPa8 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Compressive Strength

1,000 MPa145 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Flexural Strength

70 MPa10.2 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.8 MPa·√m0.73 ksi·√in
0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

640 HV
350 HV

Hardness, Knoop

680 HK
310 HK

Hardness, Mohs

6
5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.51 g/cm³0.13 lb/in³
5.18 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Refractive Index

1.691
1.805

Light Transmission

100%
84%

Same in both: Porosity 0%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.9 W/m·K0.52 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.67 W/m·K0.39 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

510 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
389 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

6.3 µm/m·K3.5 µin/in·°F
8.1 µm/m·K4.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
350°C662 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

8.5
9

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Electrical Resistivity

—
1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

—
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.001

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

12 / 100
15 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

20%
10%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

16 kN·m/kg
8 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

31.3 MN·m/kg
10.6 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.5 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-LaK9SF6
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

N-LaK9 vs SF6 — frequently asked

Is N-LaK9 stronger than SF6?

Yes. N-LaK9 has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for SF6 — about 38% more.

Which is cheaper, N-LaK9 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.

When should I choose N-LaK9 over SF6?

Pick N-LaK9 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in N-LaK9 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.