Natural Cork CR vs Natural Cork ICB
Natural Material · Natural Cork temper comparison
Natural Cork CR and Natural Cork ICB are two conditions of the same natural material grade, Natural Cork: CR (cold rolled) versus ICB (expanded (black) insulation corkboard, steam-expanded, binder-free). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Natural Cork CR is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) against 0.08 MPa (0.0116 ksi) for Natural Cork ICB, about 31 times as much. Natural Cork CR is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 7% for Natural Cork ICB. Natural Cork ICB is lighter (0.12 g/cm³ vs 0.85 g/cm³ for Natural Cork CR) and Natural Cork CR is stiffer (0.03 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, Natural Cork ICB machines more easily (excellent vs very good).
Natural Cork CRChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Natural Cork ICBChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part is machined in volume.
Natural Cork CR vs Natural Cork ICB: 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.
Natural Cork CRNatural Cork ICB
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Same in both: Shear Modulus 0.01 GPa7.25×10⁻⁴ Msi · Bulk Modulus 0.01 GPa0 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.02 · Shear Strength 0.8 MPa0.12 ksi
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)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,800 J/kg·K0.43 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹¹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁸ µΩ·in
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
Same in both: Polishability 10 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 5 MJ/kg2,150 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 0.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 100 L/kg12 gal/lb
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.
Natural Cork CR vs Natural Cork ICB — frequently asked
Is Natural Cork CR stronger than Natural Cork ICB?
Yes. Natural Cork CR has a typical tensile strength of 3 MPa (0.363 ksi) against 0.08 MPa (0.0116 ksi) for Natural Cork ICB — about 31 times as much.
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CR or ICB?
Specify the condition in the material field or the drawing note; FabDigit prices the quote for the state you call out.
Which is easier to machine, Natural Cork CR or Natural Cork ICB?
Natural Cork ICB. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (75/100) for Natural Cork CR.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Natural Cork CR and Natural Cork ICB 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.