Pyroceram 9606
also Corning 9606
Pyroceram 9606 (Corning 9606) is the original commercial lithium-aluminosilicate glass-ceramic, formed as a glass and then crystallised by a two-stage nucleation and crystal-growth heat treatment.
Reference datasheet — Pyroceram 9606 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the CERAMMED condition
Pyroceram 9606 tempers and conditions
Pyroceram 9606 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. CERAMMED is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
formed but not yet crystallized | Pick for near-net shaping: the parent glass can be pressed, drawn or conventionally ground, then cerammed to final properties (with ~1–2 % shrinkage). | 50 | 0 | 560 HV | 2 W/m·K | |
CERAMMEDDefault fully crystallized, as-fired/ground surface | Standard fully crystallized condition for radomes, substrates and heat-resistant structural parts. | 120 | 0 | 700 HV | 4 W/m·K |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Pyroceram 9606 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
POL | Ground & polished | Surface finish |
What is Pyroceram 9606?
Pyroceram 9606 (Corning 9606) is the original commercial lithium-aluminosilicate glass-ceramic, formed as a glass and then crystallised by a two-stage nucleation and crystal-growth heat treatment. It combines low thermal expansion of about 4.5 ppm/K, an elastic modulus of 120 GPa and service to 1200 °C, and is supplied as parent glass, cerammed blanks or polished plate (GREEN-GLASS, CERAMMED, POL). Once cerammed it cannot be cut with conventional tools (machinability rating 5) and needs diamond, ultrasonic or laser processing; Macor is the alternative when free machining is required. Pyroceram 9606 has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of glass grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F). Pyroceram 9606 has a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), stronger than 83% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi).
What is Pyroceram 9606 used for?
- Radome material
- Missile nose cones
- Cookware
- Heat exchangers
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 2.2 MPa·√m (2 ksi·√in), better than 96% of glass grades
- High service temperature — 1,200°C (2,192 °F), better than 94% of glass grades
- Stiff — 120 GPa (17.4 Msi), better than 86% of glass grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 92% of glass grades
- Hard to polish — 70/100, worse than 76% of glass grades
Pyroceram 9606 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Pyroceram 9606-CERAMMED; bars are the position among glass grades.
Physical4
Pyroceram 9606 has a density of 2.6 g/cm³ (0.0939 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of glass grades. It melts at 1,350°C (2,462 °F).
Mechanical13
Pyroceram 9606 has a tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi), stronger than 83% of glass grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 120 GPa (17.4 Msi).
Thermal5
Pyroceram 9606 is rated for continuous service to 1,200°C (2,192 °F). It conducts heat at 3.6 W/m·K (2.08 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of glass grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Pyroceram 9606 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹² Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 69% of glass grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Pyroceram 9606 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 58% of glass grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
Pyroceram 9606's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 92% of glass grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the glass family
Yield strength against density for every glass grade FabDigit runs. Pyroceram 9606 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Pyroceram 9606
Is Pyroceram 9606 easy to machine?
After ceramming only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser machining works; do rough shaping in the parent-glass state and allow ~1–2 % crystallization shrinkage.
Can Pyroceram 9606 be welded?
Not weldable; join by glass frit sealing, active-metal brazing or ceramic adhesives, matching CTE (~4.5 ppm/K) to avoid seal stress.
Can Pyroceram 9606 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed as a glass — pressed, spun, cast or drawn — then given a two-stage nucleation/crystal-growth heat treatment near 1100–1250 °C.
Pyroceram 9606 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2network former | 54 – 58 | 56 |
| Al2O3 | 18 – 22 | 20 |
| MgOforms cordierite phase | 13 – 16 | 15 |
| TiO2nucleating agent | 7 – 10 | 9 |
| As2O3 + minor oxidesfining agent / residual glassy phase modifiers | 0 – 1 | 0.5 |
What surface finishes work on Pyroceram 9606?
Fine grinding and polishing raise strength by removing surface flaws; can be metallized (Mo-Mn or thin-film) for substrate and RF applications.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Pyroceram 9606 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Corning 9606
How much does Pyroceram 9606 cost?
Pyroceram 9606 is a high-cost glass ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Pyroceram 9606 — frequently asked
What is Pyroceram 9606 used for?
Pyroceram 9606 is typically used for radome material, missile nose cones, cookware and heat exchangers. In short: original commercial glass-ceramic; service to 1200 °C; radome-grade glass-ceramic.
What is the tensile strength of Pyroceram 9606?
Pyroceram 9606 has a typical tensile strength of 120 MPa (17.4 ksi) — stronger than 83% of glass grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Pyroceram 9606 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 92% of glass grades). After ceramming only diamond grinding, lapping, ultrasonic or laser machining works; do rough shaping in the parent-glass state and allow ~1–2 % crystallization shrinkage.
Can Pyroceram 9606 be welded?
Not weldable; join by glass frit sealing, active-metal brazing or ceramic adhesives, matching CTE (~4.5 ppm/K) to avoid seal stress.
What surface finishes work on Pyroceram 9606?
Fine grinding and polishing raise strength by removing surface flaws; can be metallized (Mo-Mn or thin-film) for substrate and RF applications.
Can Pyroceram 9606 be formed, bent or molded?
Formed as a glass — pressed, spun, cast or drawn — then given a two-stage nucleation/crystal-growth heat treatment near 1100–1250 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Pyroceram 9606?
Pyroceram 9606 is rated for continuous use to about 1,200°C (2,192 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Pyroceram 9606 cost?
Pyroceram 9606 is a high-cost glass ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Pyroceram Brand Glass-Ceramic Code 9606 Property Data — Corning Glass Works (1985)
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Glass-Ceramic Technology — Wiley/American Ceramic Society (Höland & Beall) (2012)
- Ceramic radome material property compilations (MAS glass-ceramics) — AFRL/NASA technical reports (1980)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.