Boron Carbide vs. Forsterite

Boron carbide belongs to the non-oxide engineering ceramics classification, while forsterite belongs to the oxide-based engineering ceramics. There are 7 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (15, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is boron carbide and the bottom bar is forsterite.

Boron Carbide (B₄C)Forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Material Properties

Density, g/cm³		2.1 to 2.7
Density, g/cm³		2.1 to 3.1

Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		6.4
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		6.2

Flexural Strength, MPa		170 to 410
Flexural Strength, MPa		40 to 160

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		950
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		850

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		31 to 90
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		1.7 to 3.5

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		16 to 38
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.94 to 1.3

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		4.5 to 5.6
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		9.0 to 10

Boron Carbide vs. Forsterite

Material Properties

Find Materials

Table of Contents