Limestone vs Travertine
Natural Material · grade comparison
Limestone and Travertine are both natural material grades. Travertine is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) against 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) for Limestone, about 10% more. Travertine is the more ductile: elongation 0.1% versus 0.05% for Limestone. Travertine is stiffer (42 GPa vs 30 GPa) and Limestone runs hotter in service (400°C vs 120°C continuous). On the shop floor, Limestone machines more easily (very good vs good).
LimestoneChoose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
TravertineChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Limestone vs Travertine: 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
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Knoop
Hardness, Mohs
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)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 6 µm/m·K3.3 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °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)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 2 kN·m/kg · 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 | Limestone | Travertine |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Limestone vs Travertine — frequently asked
Is Travertine stronger than Limestone?
Yes. Travertine has a typical tensile strength of 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) against 5 MPa (0.725 ksi) for Limestone — about 10% more.
Which is cheaper, Limestone 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, Limestone or Travertine?
Limestone. Its machinability rates very good (80/100) against good (62/100) for Travertine.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Limestone 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.