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N-SF11 vs SF6

Glass · grade comparison

N-SF11 and SF6 are both glass grades. N-SF11 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-SF11 is harder — 470 HV against 350 HV for SF6 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. N-SF11 is lighter (3.2 g/cm³ vs 5.18 g/cm³ for SF6) and N-SF11 is stiffer (92 GPa vs 55 GPa).

N-SF11Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

N-SF11 vs SF6: properties

N-SF11SF6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

92 GPa13.3 Msi
55 GPa8 Msi

Shear Modulus

36.6 GPa5.3 Msi
22 GPa3.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

63 GPa9.1 Msi
36 GPa5.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.26
0.24

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

45 MPa6.5 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

0%
—

Flexural Strength

60 MPa8.7 ksi
55 MPa8 ksi

Shear Strength

35 MPa5.1 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.7 MPa·√m0.64 ksi·√in
0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

470 HV
350 HV

Hardness, Knoop

450 HK
310 HK

Hardness, Mohs

5.5
5

Same in both: Compressive Strength 900 MPa131 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

3.2 g/cm³0.12 lb/in³
5.18 g/cm³0.19 lb/in³

Refractive Index

1.785
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

0.75 W/m·K0.43 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.67 W/m·K0.39 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

630 J/kg·K0.15 BTU/lb·°F
389 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8.5 µm/m·K4.7 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.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—
20 kV/mm508 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
9

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.001

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

60 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Polishability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 15 / 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 kg CO₂/kg
3 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

30 L/kg3.6 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)

14 kN·m/kg
8 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

28.8 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-SF11SF6
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

N-SF11 vs SF6 — frequently asked

Is N-SF11 stronger than SF6?

Yes. N-SF11 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-SF11 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-SF11 over SF6?

Pick N-SF11 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-SF11 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.