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Granite vs Quartzite

Natural Material · grade comparison

Granite and Quartzite are both natural material grades. Quartzite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Granite, about 42% more. Quartzite is stiffer (75 GPa vs 50 GPa) and Quartzite runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, Granite machines more easily (poor vs not recommended) and Granite sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than Quartzite (standard, $$).

GraniteChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.

QuartziteChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Granite vs Quartzite: properties

GraniteQuartzite

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

50 GPa7.3 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

21 GPa3 Msi
29 GPa4.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.17

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

12 MPa1.7 ksi
17 MPa2.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.05%
—

Compressive Strength

180 MPa26.1 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Flexural Strength

14 MPa2 ksi
28 MPa4.1 ksi

Shear Strength

20 MPa2.9 ksi
34 MPa4.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in
1.1 MPa·√m1 ksi·√in

Hardness, Knoop

650 HK
770 HK

Hardness, Mohs

6.5
7

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 40 GPa5.8 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.68 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.65 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,215°C2,219 °F
1,670°C3,038 °F

Porosity

0.7%
0.4%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

2.9 W/m·K1.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
6 W/m·K3.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
780 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

10,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹¹ µΩ·in
1,000,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹³ µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
93 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
7 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

6 MJ/kg2,580 BTU/lb
3 MJ/kg1,290 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

0.45 kg CO₂/kg
0.22 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

12 L/kg1.4 gal/lb
25 L/kg3 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

4 kN·m/kg
6 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

18.7 MN·m/kg
28.3 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.4 mm²/s
2.9 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

CapabilityGraniteQuartzite
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Granite vs Quartzite — frequently asked

Is Quartzite stronger than Granite?

Yes. Quartzite has a typical tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) against 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) for Granite — about 42% more.

Which is cheaper, Granite or Quartzite?

Granite is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while Quartzite 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 Quartzite?

Granite. Its machinability rates poor (25/100) against not recommended (7/100) for Quartzite.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Granite and Quartzite 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.