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Granite vs Travertine

Natural Material · grade comparison

Granite and Travertine are both natural material grades. Granite is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) for Travertine, about 118% more. In exchange, Travertine is the more ductile: elongation 0.1% versus 0.05% for Granite. Travertine is lighter (2.45 g/cm³ vs 2.68 g/cm³ for Granite) and Granite is stiffer (50 GPa vs 42 GPa). On the shop floor, Travertine machines more easily (good vs poor).

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

TravertineChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Granite vs Travertine: properties

GraniteTravertine

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

50 GPa7.3 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

21 GPa3 Msi
16 GPa2.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

40 GPa5.8 Msi
28 GPa4.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.22
0.26

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

12 MPa1.7 ksi
6 MPa0.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.05%
0.1%

Compressive Strength

180 MPa26.1 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Flexural Strength

14 MPa2 ksi
11 MPa1.6 ksi

Shear Strength

20 MPa2.9 ksi
13 MPa1.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

1.2 MPa·√m1.1 ksi·√in
0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Hardness, Knoop

650 HK
110 HK

Hardness, Mohs

6.5
3.5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.68 g/cm³0.1 lb/in³
2.45 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,215°C2,219 °F
—

Porosity

0.7%
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
2 W/m·K1.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F
6 µm/m·K3.3 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
120°C248 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

10,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹¹ µΩ·in
1×10⁷ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁴ µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
38 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
62 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
78 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

6 MJ/kg2,580 BTU/lb
2 MJ/kg860 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

0.45 kg CO₂/kg
0.13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

12 L/kg1.4 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 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
2 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

18.7 MN·m/kg
17.1 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.4 mm²/s
0.9 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

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

Granite vs Travertine — frequently asked

Is Granite stronger than Travertine?

Yes. Granite has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) for Travertine — about 118% more.

Which is cheaper, Granite or Travertine?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Granite or Travertine?

Travertine. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against poor (25/100) for Granite.

Ready to make it?

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