Cordierite · grade
Cordierite DENSE
Properties of the DENSE condition, compared with the other Cordierite tempers.
Pick when you need gas tightness, ground tolerances or low-loss RF dielectric performance.
What is Cordierite DENSE?
Cordierite DENSE is Cordierite in the DENSE grade — pick when you need gas tightness, ground tolerances or low-loss RF dielectric performance. Cordierite DENSE has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 69% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi). Cordierite DENSE has a density of 2.55 g/cm³ (0.0921 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,465°C (2,669 °F). As Fired is the default condition FabDigit quotes; DENSE is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 2.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 93% of ceramic grades
- Easy to machine — 15/100, better than 83% of ceramic grades
- Lightweight — 2.55 g/cm³ (0.0921 lb/in³), better than 80% of ceramic grades
- High service temperature — 1,300°C (2,372 °F), better than 77% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 86% of ceramic grades
Cordierite DENSE properties
Typical room-temperature values for Cordierite DENSE — 18 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Cordierite temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the ceramic grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Cordierite DENSE has a density of 2.55 g/cm³ (0.0921 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of ceramic grades. It melts at 1,465°C (2,669 °F).
Mechanical10
Cordierite DENSE has a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi), weaker than 69% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 130 GPa (18.9 Msi).
Thermal5
Cordierite DENSE is rated for continuous service to 1,300°C (2,372 °F). It conducts heat at 3.5 W/m·K (2.02 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 2.3 µm/m·K (1.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical5
Cordierite DENSE is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 14 kV/mm (355.6 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹³ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 52% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Cordierite DENSE takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability3
Cordierite DENSE's machinability is poor (15/100, better than 83% of ceramic grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Cordierite tempers and conditions
Cordierite is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Cordierite overview.
- As FiredDefaultDefault general-purpose sintered cordierite for insulators, burner plates and structural parts with low expansion.25 MPa tensile
- DENSEPick when you need gas tightness, ground tolerances or low-loss RF dielectric performance.45 MPa tensile
- KILNPick for kiln shelves, setters, saggars and burner tiles where thermal-shock cycling matters more than strength.8 MPa tensile
- HONEYCOMBPick for extruded thin-wall cellular bodies needing near-zero expansion and extreme thermal-shock survival; bulk strengths are cell-geometry dependent.10 properties
Working with Cordierite DENSE
Is Cordierite easy to machine?
Green or bisque-fired bodies machine easily with carbide; after firing use diamond grinding, coolant and light feeds — the porous structure chips at edges.
Can Cordierite be welded?
Not weldable; join by ceramic cement, glass frit, glaze bonding or mechanical clamping with compliant gaskets.
Can Cordierite be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry/isostatic pressing, slip casting, jiggering or plasticised extrusion (honeycombs), then fired 1300–1420 °C with a tight window to avoid cordierite decomposition.
What surface finishes work on Cordierite?
Glaze or ceramic coating seals open porosity; diamond lapping gives flat sealing faces; no plating or anodizing applies.
Cordierite chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2stoichiometric 2MgO·2Al2O3·5SiO2 | 45 – 55 | 51.4 |
| Al2O3higher in cordierite-mullite kiln bodies | 30 – 40 | 34.9 |
| MgOfrom talc/magnesite raw material | 11 – 15 | 13.8 |
| Fe2O3 + TiO2 + CaO + alkalisclay-derived impurities / sintering aids | 0 – 3 | 1 |
Cordierite DENSE — frequently asked
What is Cordierite DENSE used for?
Cordierite DENSE is typically used for catalytic converter substrates, kiln furniture and setter plates, diesel particulate filter bodies, burner and infrared radiant plates, heating element supports and thermocouple and electrical insulators. In short: thermal-shock resistant ceramic.
What is the tensile strength of Cordierite DENSE?
Cordierite DENSE has a typical tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 69% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Cordierite DENSE easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, better than 83% of ceramic grades). Green or bisque-fired bodies machine easily with carbide; after firing use diamond grinding, coolant and light feeds — the porous structure chips at edges.
Can Cordierite DENSE be welded?
Not weldable; join by ceramic cement, glass frit, glaze bonding or mechanical clamping with compliant gaskets.
What surface finishes work on Cordierite DENSE?
Glaze or ceramic coating seals open porosity; diamond lapping gives flat sealing faces; no plating or anodizing applies.
Can Cordierite DENSE be formed, bent or molded?
Formed by dry/isostatic pressing, slip casting, jiggering or plasticised extrusion (honeycombs), then fired 1300–1420 °C with a tight window to avoid cordierite decomposition.
What is the maximum service temperature of Cordierite DENSE?
Cordierite DENSE is rated for continuous use to about 1,300°C (2,372 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in Cordierite DENSE?
Yes — Cordierite DENSE is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- Cordierite technical ceramic property data — CoorsTek (2023)
- Cordierite kiln furniture and burner plate data — Kyocera / CeramTec (2022)
- Phase Diagrams for Ceramists (MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system) — American Ceramic Society (1964)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.