Graphite vs. Silicon Nitride

Both graphite and silicon nitride are non-oxide engineering ceramics. There are 9 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (14, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is graphite and the bottom bar is silicon nitride.

Graphite Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄)

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Material Properties

Compressive (Crushing) Strength, MPa		90
Compressive (Crushing) Strength, MPa		600 to 2950

Density, g/cm³		1.8
Density, g/cm³		2.2 to 3.4

Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, GPa		21
Elastic (Young's, Tensile) Modulus, GPa		140 to 310

Flexural Strength, MPa		80
Flexural Strength, MPa		130 to 810

Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		220
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		1000 to 1330

Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points		6.7
Stiffness to Weight: Axial, points		34 to 53

Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points		53
Stiffness to Weight: Bending, points		65 to 78

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		6.0
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		12 to 31

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		4.9
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		2.5 to 3.2

Graphite vs. Silicon Nitride

Material Properties

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