Radiata Pine vs Southern Yellow Pine
Natural Material · grade comparison
Radiata Pine and Southern Yellow Pine are both natural material grades. Radiata Pine is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for Southern Yellow Pine, about 13% more. In exchange, Southern Yellow Pine is the more ductile: elongation 1.2% versus 1% for Radiata Pine. Radiata Pine is lighter (0.48 g/cm³ vs 0.62 g/cm³ for Southern Yellow Pine) and Southern Yellow Pine is stiffer (11.5 GPa vs 10.2 GPa). On the shop floor, Radiata Pine machines more easily (excellent vs very good).
Radiata PineChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Southern Yellow PineChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Radiata Pine vs Southern Yellow Pine: 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.
Radiata PineSouthern Yellow Pine
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Shear Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Porosity
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 4 µm/m·K2.2 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 80°C176 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Strength
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.
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 9 MJ/kg3,869 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 0.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
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
| Capability | Radiata Pine | Southern Yellow Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Radiata Pine vs Southern Yellow Pine — frequently asked
Is Radiata Pine stronger than Southern Yellow Pine?
Yes. Radiata Pine has a typical tensile strength of 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) against 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) for Southern Yellow Pine — about 13% more.
Which is cheaper, Radiata Pine or Southern Yellow Pine?
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, Radiata Pine or Southern Yellow Pine?
Radiata Pine. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against very good (80/100) for Southern Yellow Pine.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Radiata Pine and Southern Yellow Pine 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.