Pyroceram 9606 vs ZERODUR
Glass · grade comparison
Pyroceram 9606 and ZERODUR are both glass grades. Pyroceram 9606 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for ZERODUR, about 4.0 times as much. Pyroceram 9606 is harder — 700 HV against 620 HV for ZERODUR — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Pyroceram 9606 is stiffer (120 GPa vs 90.3 GPa) and Pyroceram 9606 runs hotter in service (1,200°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, ZERODUR machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and ZERODUR sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Pyroceram 9606 (high, $$$$).
Pyroceram 9606Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
ZERODURChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Pyroceram 9606 vs ZERODUR: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all glass grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all glass grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Light Transmission
Refractive Index
Same in both: Porosity 0%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Polishability
Sintering / Firing Temperature
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Pyroceram 9606 | ZERODUR |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | Annealed Glass |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Pyroceram 9606 vs ZERODUR — frequently asked
Is Pyroceram 9606 stronger than ZERODUR?
Yes. Pyroceram 9606 has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) against 30 MPa (4.35 ksi) for ZERODUR — about 4.0 times as much.
Which is cheaper, Pyroceram 9606 or ZERODUR?
ZERODUR 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.
Which is easier to machine, Pyroceram 9606 or ZERODUR?
ZERODUR. Its machinability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (5/100) for Pyroceram 9606.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Pyroceram 9606 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.