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SAE F-1 Wool Felt vs Split Leather

Natural Material · grade comparison

SAE F-1 Wool Felt and Split Leather are both natural material grades. Split Leather is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.406 ksi) for SAE F-1 Wool Felt, about 4.3 times as much. Split Leather is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 40% for SAE F-1 Wool Felt. SAE F-1 Wool Felt is lighter (0.32 g/cm³ vs 0.9 g/cm³ for Split Leather) and Split Leather is stiffer (0.1 GPa vs 0.01 GPa).

SAE F-1 Wool FeltChoose it when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat.

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

SAE F-1 Wool Felt vs Split Leather: properties

SAE F-1 Wool FeltSplit Leather

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

0.01 GPa0 Msi
0.1 GPa0.01 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

3 MPa0.41 ksi
12 MPa1.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
55%

Compressive Strength

1 MPa0.15 ksi
—

Poisson's Ratio

—
0.4

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.32 g/cm³0.01 lb/in³
0.9 g/cm³0.03 lb/in³

Porosity

75%
50%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.05 W/m·K0.03 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.14 W/m·K0.08 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,360 J/kg·K0.32 BTU/lb·°F
1,550 J/kg·K0.37 BTU/lb·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

100°C212 °F
80°C176 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

85 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

—
15 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

63 MJ/kg27,085 BTU/lb
120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

100,000 L/kg11,983 gal/lb
15,000 L/kg1,797 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12 kg CO₂/kg · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

9 kN·m/kg
13 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

0 MN·m/kg
0.1 MN·m/kg

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s

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

CapabilitySAE F-1 Wool FeltSplit Leather
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

SAE F-1 Wool Felt vs Split Leather — frequently asked

Is Split Leather stronger than SAE F-1 Wool Felt?

Yes. Split Leather has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.406 ksi) for SAE F-1 Wool Felt — about 4.3 times as much.

Which is cheaper, SAE F-1 Wool Felt or Split Leather?

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

When should I choose SAE F-1 Wool Felt over Split Leather?

Pick SAE F-1 Wool Felt when weight is the constraint, or when the part sees heat. Pick Split Leather when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SAE F-1 Wool Felt and Split Leather 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.