Ash vs Walnut
Natural Material · grade comparison
Ash and Walnut are both natural material grades. Ash is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for Walnut, about 10% more. In exchange, Walnut is the more ductile: elongation 1.2% versus 1% for Ash. Walnut is lighter (0.61 g/cm³ vs 0.67 g/cm³ for Ash) and Walnut runs hotter in service (90°C vs 80°C continuous). On the shop floor, Walnut machines more easily (excellent vs very good).
AshChoose it when strength drives the design.
WalnutChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
Ash vs Walnut: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all natural material 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 natural material 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Same in both: Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 0.5 MPa·√m0.46 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
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)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 3 kV/mm76.2 V/mil
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 Water
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 0.5 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 5%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 164 kN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every natural material grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Ash | Walnut |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Ash vs Walnut — frequently asked
Is Ash stronger than Walnut?
Yes. Ash has a typical tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for Walnut — about 10% more.
Which is cheaper, Ash or Walnut?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$, standard); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, Ash or Walnut?
Walnut. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against very good (70/100) for Ash.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ash and Walnut 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.