Cork CR vs Cork ICB
Natural Material · Cork temper comparison
Cork CR and Cork ICB are two conditions of the same natural material grade, Cork: CR (cold rolled) versus ICB (expanded (black) cork insulation board, EN 13170). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Cork CR is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) against 0.09 MPa (0.0131 ksi) for Cork ICB, about 24 times as much. Cork CR is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 7% for Cork ICB. Cork ICB is lighter (0.12 g/cm³ vs 0.85 g/cm³ for Cork CR) and Cork CR is stiffer (0.02 GPa vs 0.01 GPa).
Cork CRChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Cork ICBChoose it when weight is the constraint.
Cork CR vs Cork ICB: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.01 GPa8.7×10⁻⁴ Msi · Bulk Modulus 0.01 GPa0 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.05
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,800 J/kg·K0.43 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 180 µm/m·K100 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ 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
Same in both: Polishability 12 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 6 MJ/kg2,580 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 0.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb
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.
Cork CR vs Cork ICB — frequently asked
Is Cork CR stronger than Cork ICB?
Yes. Cork CR has a typical tensile strength of 2 MPa (0.319 ksi) against 0.09 MPa (0.0131 ksi) for Cork ICB — about 24 times as much.
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CR or ICB?
Specify the condition in the material field or the drawing note; FabDigit prices the quote for the state you call out.
Which is easier to machine, Cork CR or Cork ICB?
Cork ICB, by a small margin. Both rate very good for machinability — 75/100 against 70/100 for Cork CR.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Cork CR and Cork ICB 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.