Optical Silicon vs. Forsterite

Optical silicon belongs to the non-glass optical 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 (18, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is optical silicon and the bottom bar is forsterite.

Optical Silicon (Si)Forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Material Properties

Density, g/cm³		2.3
Density, g/cm³		2.1 to 3.1

Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		12
Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) At 1 MHz		6.2

Flexural Strength, MPa		300
Flexural Strength, MPa		40 to 160

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		700
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		850

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		150
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		1.7 to 3.5

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		93
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.94 to 1.3

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		3.0
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		9.0 to 10

Optical Silicon vs. Forsterite

Material Properties

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