Black Walnut vs Oak
Natural Material · grade comparison
Black Walnut and Oak are both natural material grades. Black Walnut is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for Oak, about 5% more. Black Walnut is the more ductile: elongation 1.5% versus 1% for Oak. Black Walnut is lighter (0.61 g/cm³ vs 0.72 g/cm³ for Oak) and Oak is stiffer (12.3 GPa vs 11.6 GPa). On the shop floor, Black Walnut machines more easily (excellent vs very good).
Black WalnutChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Black Walnut vs Oak: 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
Hardness, Mohs
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
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 90°C194 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in
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
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 0.55 kg CO₂/kg
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Same in both: 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 | Black Walnut | Oak |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Black Walnut vs Oak — frequently asked
Is Black Walnut stronger than Oak?
Yes. Black Walnut has a typical tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) for Oak — about 5% more.
Which is cheaper, Black Walnut or Oak?
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, Black Walnut or Oak?
Black Walnut. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (70/100) for Oak.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Black Walnut and Oak 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.