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Teak vs Walnut

Natural Material · grade comparison

Teak and Walnut are both natural material grades. Walnut is the more ductile: elongation 1.2% versus 1% for Teak. Walnut is lighter (0.61 g/cm³ vs 0.65 g/cm³ for Teak) and Teak is stiffer (12.3 GPa vs 11.6 GPa). On the shop floor, Walnut machines more easily (excellent vs good) and Walnut sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than Teak (premium, $$$).

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

Teak vs Walnut: properties

TeakWalnut

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

12.3 GPa1.8 Msi
11.6 GPa1.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.5

Elongation at Break

1%
1.2%

Compressive Strength

58 MPa8.4 ksi
52 MPa7.6 ksi

Flexural Strength

97 MPa14.1 ksi
101 MPa14.6 ksi

Shear Strength

13 MPa1.9 ksi
9 MPa1.4 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Same in both: Shear Modulus 1 GPa0.15 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 100 MPa14.5 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

0.65 g/cm³0.02 lb/in³
0.61 g/cm³0.02 lb/in³

Porosity

57%
59%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.16 W/m·K0.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.12 W/m·K0.07 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,500 J/kg·K0.36 BTU/lb·°F
1,600 J/kg·K0.38 BTU/lb·°F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 4.5 µm/m·K2.5 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 90°C194 °F · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

3×10⁹ Ω·m1.18×10¹⁷ µΩ·in
1×10⁹ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁶ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

2.5 kV/mm63.5 V/mil
3 kV/mm76.2 V/mil

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

82 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

65 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
82 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

12 MJ/kg5,159 BTU/lb
10 MJ/kg4,299 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

0.65 kg CO₂/kg
0.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 5%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

154 kN·m/kg
164 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

18.9 MN·m/kg
19 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.2 mm²/s
0.1 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

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

Teak vs Walnut — frequently asked

What is the difference between Teak and Walnut?

Teak and Walnut are both natural material grades. Walnut is the more ductile: elongation 1.2% versus 1% for Teak. Walnut is lighter (0.61 g/cm³ vs 0.65 g/cm³ for Teak) and Teak is stiffer (12.3 GPa vs 11.6 GPa).

Which is cheaper, Teak or Walnut?

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

Walnut. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (65/100) for Teak.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Teak and Walnut 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.