Silicon Nitride vs. High-alumina Refractory

Silicon nitride belongs to the non-oxide engineering ceramics classification, while high-alumina refractory belongs to the oxide-based engineering ceramics. There are 8 material properties with values for both materials. Properties with values for just one material (9, in this case) are not shown.

For each property being compared, the top bar is silicon nitride and the bottom bar is high-alumina refractory.

Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄)High-Alumina Refractory (IEC 60672 Type C-510)

Metric UnitsUS Customary Units

Material Properties

Density, g/cm³		2.2 to 3.4
Density, g/cm³		2.1

Flexural Strength, MPa		130 to 810
Flexural Strength, MPa		28

Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		1000 to 1330
Maximum Temperature: Mechanical, °C		1200

Maximum Thermal Shock, °C		290 to 750
Maximum Thermal Shock, °C		210

Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		720 to 800
Specific Heat Capacity, J/kg-K		800

Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		12 to 31
Thermal Conductivity, W/m-K		1.5

Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		7.5 to 13
Thermal Diffusivity, mm²/s		0.87

Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		2.5 to 3.2
Thermal Expansion, µm/m-K		4.3

Silicon Nitride vs. High-alumina Refractory

Material Properties

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