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Mahogany vs Maple

Natural Material · grade comparison

Mahogany and Maple are both natural material grades. Maple is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for Mahogany, about 11% more. Maple is the more ductile: elongation 1.5% versus 1% for Mahogany. Mahogany is lighter (0.55 g/cm³ vs 0.71 g/cm³ for Maple) and Maple is stiffer (12.6 GPa vs 10.3 GPa). On the shop floor, Mahogany machines more easily (excellent vs good) and Maple sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Mahogany (premium, $$$).

MahoganyChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

MapleChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Mahogany vs Maple: properties

MahoganyMaple

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

10.3 GPa1.5 Msi
12.6 GPa1.8 Msi

Shear Modulus

0.9 GPa0.13 Msi
1.4 GPa0.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.31
0.42

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
1.5%

Compressive Strength

47 MPa6.8 ksi
54 MPa7.8 ksi

Flexural Strength

79 MPa11.5 ksi
109 MPa15.8 ksi

Shear Strength

9 MPa1.2 ksi
16 MPa2.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

0.5 MPa·√m0.46 ksi·√in
0.6 MPa·√m0.55 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.55 g/cm³0.02 lb/in³
0.71 g/cm³0.03 lb/in³

Porosity

63%
55%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.13 W/m·K0.08 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.16 W/m·K0.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F
4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
90°C194 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,650 J/kg·K0.39 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁹ Ω·m1.18×10¹⁷ µΩ·in
1×10⁸ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁵ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

—
4 kV/mm102 V/mil

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

90 / 100
68 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 88 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

0.6 kg CO₂/kg
0.45 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
650 L/kg77.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

2%
5%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 10 MJ/kg4,299 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

164 kN·m/kg
142 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

18.7 MN·m/kg
17.9 MN·m/kg

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · 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

CapabilityMahoganyMaple
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Mahogany vs Maple — frequently asked

Is Maple stronger than Mahogany?

Yes. Maple has a typical tensile strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for Mahogany — about 11% more.

Which is cheaper, Mahogany or Maple?

Maple is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while Mahogany is premium ($$$). 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, Mahogany or Maple?

Mahogany. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against good (68/100) for Maple.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Mahogany and Maple 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.