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Beech vs Teak

Natural Material · grade comparison

Beech and Teak are both natural material grades. Beech is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for Teak, about 10% more. Beech is the more ductile: elongation 1.2% versus 1% for Teak. Teak is lighter (0.65 g/cm³ vs 0.72 g/cm³ for Beech) and Beech is stiffer (14 GPa vs 12.3 GPa). On the shop floor, Beech sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Teak (premium, $$$).

BeechChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

TeakChoose it when weight is the constraint.

Beech vs Teak: properties

BeechTeak

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

14 GPa2 Msi
12.3 GPa1.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
1 GPa0.15 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.45
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

110 MPa16 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

1.2%
1%

Compressive Strength

60 MPa8.7 ksi
58 MPa8.4 ksi

Flexural Strength

110 MPa16 ksi
97 MPa14.1 ksi

Shear Strength

12 MPa1.7 ksi
13 MPa1.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.5 MPa·√m0.46 ksi·√in
0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.72 g/cm³0.03 lb/in³
0.65 g/cm³0.02 lb/in³

Porosity

52%
57%

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F
1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F
4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
90°C194 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.16 W/m·K0.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in
3×10⁹ Ω·m1.18×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

4 kV/mm102 V/mil
2.5 kV/mm63.5 V/mil

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

20 / 100
82 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

11 MJ/kg4,729 BTU/lb
12 MJ/kg5,159 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

0.45 kg CO₂/kg
0.65 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

153 kN·m/kg
154 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

19.4 MN·m/kg
18.9 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.1 mm²/s
0.2 mm²/s

Same in both: 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

CapabilityBeechTeak
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Beech vs Teak — frequently asked

Is Beech stronger than Teak?

Yes. Beech has a typical tensile strength of 110 MPa (16 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for Teak — about 10% more.

Which is cheaper, Beech or Teak?

Beech is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Teak is premium ($$$). 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, Beech or Teak?

Beech. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for Teak.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Beech and Teak 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.