Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Synthetic single-crystal silicon (cubic, diamond structure), Korth Kristalle (crystal grower) material data; Korth usually supplies Floating Zone (FZ) material, Czochralski (Cz) also offered. Silicon is elastically anisotropic; the producer quotes one modulus and the solver is isotropic.
1
Ceramic Seal Material Properties (01899 F)CoorsTekarchived copyCeramic Alumina 96% · Ultimate tensile strength: typical tensile strength, 25 °C (ACMA Test #4)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Compressive strength: typical, 20 °C (ASTM-C773)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Flexural strength: flexural strength (MOR), 20 °C (ASTM-F417)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, 20 °C (ASTM-C848)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Density: typical (ASTM-C20)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Poisson's ratio: typical, 20 °C (ASTM-C848)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °C (ASTM-C408)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Thermal expansion: mean, 25-1000 °C (ASTM-C372)Ceramic Alumina 96% · Specific heat: typical, 100 °C (ASTM-E1269)
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Si: SiliconKorth Kristallearchived copySilicon · Ultimate tensile strength: modulus of rupture (bending fracture stress); brittle, no yield pointSilicon · Flexural strength: modulus of ruptureSilicon · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical (single quoted value of an anisotropic crystal)Silicon · Density: typicalSilicon · Poisson's ratio: typicalSilicon · Thermal conductivity: typical at 313 K (40 °C)Silicon · Thermal expansion: typical at 300 KSilicon · Specific heat: typicalSilicon · Melting point: typicalSilicon · Max service temperature: producer's maximum application temperature (optical components)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Ceramic Alumina 96% stronger than Silicon?
Ceramic Alumina 96% is stronger: its tensile strength is 221 MPa against 130 MPa for Silicon (1.7x).
Which is lighter, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Silicon?
Silicon is lighter: 2,329 kg/m³ against 3,720 kg/m³ for Ceramic Alumina 96%.
Which is stiffer, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Silicon?
Ceramic Alumina 96% is stiffer: Young's modulus 303 GPa against 131 GPa for Silicon, so the same part in Ceramic Alumina 96% deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Silicon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Ceramic Alumina 96% is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie; Silicon is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Ceramic Alumina 96%
Silicon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
45% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
5% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
21% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
lighter
6% heavier
Strong beam
12% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
22% heavier
lighter
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Ceramic Alumina 96% or Silicon?
Silicon conducts heat better: 163 W/m·K against 24.7 W/m·K for Ceramic Alumina 96%.
Which expands less with temperature?
Silicon expands less: 2.62 µm/m·K against 8.2 µm/m·K for Ceramic Alumina 96%.