Granite vs Onyx
Natural Material · grade comparison
Granite and Onyx are both natural material grades. Granite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Onyx, about 100% more. Granite runs hotter in service (300°C vs 100°C continuous) and Granite conducts heat better (2.9 W/m·K vs 2.3 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Onyx machines more easily (good vs poor) and Granite sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Onyx (standard, $$).
GraniteChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
OnyxChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
Granite vs Onyx: 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.
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 50 GPa7.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 40 GPa5.8 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Porosity
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 8 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
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)
Same in both: Embodied Water 12 L/kg1.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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
| Capability | Granite | Onyx |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Granite vs Onyx — frequently asked
Is Granite stronger than Onyx?
Yes. Granite has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.87 ksi) for Onyx — about 100% more.
Which is cheaper, Granite or Onyx?
Granite is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Onyx is standard ($$). 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, Granite or Onyx?
Onyx. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against poor (25/100) for Granite.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Granite and Onyx 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.