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Sandstone vs Travertine

Natural Material · grade comparison

Sandstone and Travertine are both natural material grades. Travertine is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) for Sandstone, about 83% more. In exchange, Sandstone is the more ductile: elongation 0.25% versus 0.1% for Travertine. Sandstone is lighter (2.25 g/cm³ vs 2.45 g/cm³ for Travertine) and Travertine is stiffer (42 GPa vs 15 GPa).

SandstoneChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

TravertineChoose it when strength drives the design.

Sandstone vs Travertine: properties

SandstoneTravertine

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

15 GPa2.2 Msi
42 GPa6.1 Msi

Shear Modulus

8.3 GPa1.2 Msi
16 GPa2.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

11 GPa1.6 Msi
28 GPa4.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.2
0.26

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

3 MPa0.44 ksi
6 MPa0.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.25%
0.1%

Compressive Strength

50 MPa7.3 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi

Flexural Strength

6 MPa0.87 ksi
11 MPa1.6 ksi

Shear Strength

10 MPa1.5 ksi
13 MPa1.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Hardness, Knoop

450 HK
110 HK

Hardness, Mohs

6
3.5

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

2.25 g/cm³0.08 lb/in³
2.45 g/cm³0.09 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,650°C3,002 °F
—

Porosity

17%
4%

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

800 J/kg·K0.19 BTU/lb·°F
880 J/kg·K0.21 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
6 µm/m·K3.3 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
120°C248 °F

Min Service Temperature

-60°C-76 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 2 W/m·K1.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

10,000 Ω·m3.94×10¹¹ µΩ·in
1×10⁷ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁴ µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

45 / 100
38 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

70 / 100
62 / 100

Polishability

15 / 100
78 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

2 MJ/kg688 BTU/lb
2 MJ/kg860 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

0.09 kg CO₂/kg
0.13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

20 L/kg2.4 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

1 kN·m/kg
2 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.7 MN·m/kg
17.1 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

1.1 mm²/s
0.9 mm²/s

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

CapabilitySandstoneTravertine
Default condition——
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Sandstone vs Travertine — frequently asked

Is Travertine stronger than Sandstone?

Yes. Travertine has a typical tensile strength of 6 MPa (0.798 ksi) against 3 MPa (0.435 ksi) for Sandstone — about 83% more.

Which is cheaper, Sandstone 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, Sandstone or Travertine?

Sandstone. Its machinability rates very good (70/100) against good (62/100) for Travertine.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Sandstone 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.