Suprasil vs ULE 7972
Glass · grade comparison
Suprasil and ULE 7972 are both glass grades. Suprasil is harder — 850 HV against 550 HV for ULE 7972 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Suprasil is stiffer (72.5 GPa vs 67.6 GPa).
SuprasilChoose it when surface hardness matters.
Suprasil vs ULE 7972: 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
Elongation at Break
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Knoop
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.17 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 50 MPa7.3 ksi · Compressive Strength 1,100 MPa160 ksi · Hardness, Mohs 6
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Porosity 0%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·m3.94×10²³ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁸ 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
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 23 kN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.8 mm²/s
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 | Suprasil | ULE 7972 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Suprasil vs ULE 7972 — frequently asked
What is the difference between Suprasil and ULE 7972?
Suprasil and ULE 7972 are both glass grades. Suprasil is harder — 850 HV against 550 HV for ULE 7972 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Suprasil is stiffer (72.5 GPa vs 67.6 GPa).
Which is cheaper, Suprasil or ULE 7972?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Suprasil or ULE 7972?
ULE 7972. Its machinability rates poor (15/100) against not recommended (10/100) for Suprasil.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Suprasil and ULE 7972 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.