Fused Silica vs. Forsterite

Fused silica belongs to the glass and glass-ceramics classification, while forsterite belongs to the oxide-based engineering ceramics. There are 9 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (17, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is fused silica and the bottom bar is forsterite.

Fused Silica (Fused Quartz)Forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Material Properties

Density, g/cm³		2.2
Density, g/cm³		2.1 to 3.1

Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		3.8
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		6.2

Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		30
Dielectric Strength (Breakdown Potential), kV/mm		7.9

Electrical Dissipation At 1 MHz		0.00011
Electrical Dissipation At 1 MHz		0.00030

Flexural Strength, MPa		67
Flexural Strength, MPa		40 to 160

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		720
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		850

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		1.4
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		1.7 to 3.5

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.85
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.94 to 1.3

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		0.5
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		9.0 to 10

Fused Silica vs. Forsterite

Material Properties

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