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Pyroceram 9606 vs Robax

Glass · grade comparison

Pyroceram 9606 and Robax are both glass grades. Pyroceram 9606 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Robax, about 3.4 times as much. Pyroceram 9606 is harder — 700 HV against 590 HV for Robax — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pyroceram 9606 is stiffer (120 GPa vs 92 GPa) and Pyroceram 9606 runs hotter in service (1,200°C vs 700°C continuous). On the shop floor, Robax sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Pyroceram 9606 (high, $$$$).

Pyroceram 9606Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

RobaxChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

Pyroceram 9606 vs Robax: properties

Pyroceram 9606Robax

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

120 GPa17.4 Msi
92 GPa13.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

48 GPa7 Msi
37 GPa5.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
59 GPa8.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.25
0.24

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

120 MPa17.4 ksi
35 MPa5.1 ksi

Compressive Strength

1,250 MPa181 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Flexural Strength

235 MPa34.1 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Shear Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.2 MPa·√m2 ksi·√in
0.9 MPa·√m0.82 ksi·√in

Hardness, Vickers

700 HV
590 HV

Hardness, Knoop

698 HK
630 HK

Same in both: Elongation at Break 0% · Hardness, Mohs 6.5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.6 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³
2.55 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,350°C2,462 °F
—

Light Transmission

0%
88%

Refractive Index

—
1.54

Same in both: Porosity 0%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

3.6 W/m·K2.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
1.6 W/m·K0.92 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
830 J/kg·K0.2 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
0.1 µm/m·K0.06 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,200°C2,192 °F
700°C1,292 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -200°C-328 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

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

Dielectric Strength

16 kV/mm406 V/mil
25 kV/mm635 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

5.6
7

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

3×10⁻⁴
0.003

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹³ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
85 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
6 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
88 / 100

Sintering / Firing Temperature

1,200°C2,192 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3 kg CO₂/kg
2.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

25 L/kg3 gal/lb
20 L/kg2.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

5%
0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

46 kN·m/kg
14 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

46.2 MN·m/kg
36.1 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.7 mm²/s
0.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

1
6

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 scaleRobax

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPyroceram 9606Robax
Default condition—Annealed Glass
Relative cost$$$$ High$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Pyroceram 9606 vs Robax — frequently asked

Is Pyroceram 9606 stronger than Robax?

Yes. Pyroceram 9606 has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 35 MPa (5.08 ksi) for Robax — about 3.4 times as much.

Which is cheaper, Pyroceram 9606 or Robax?

Robax is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Pyroceram 9606 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

When should I choose Pyroceram 9606 over Robax?

Pick Pyroceram 9606 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters. Pick Robax when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pyroceram 9606 and Robax 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.