Synthetic single-crystal silicon (cubic, diamond structure), Korth Kristalle (crystal grower) material data; Korth usually supplies Floating Zone (FZ) material, Czochralski (Cz) also offered. Silicon is elastically anisotropic; the producer quotes one modulus and the solver is isotropic.
1.4305 / UNS S30300, Outokumpu typical values (hot rolled, solution annealed) from 'Steel Grades, Properties and Global Standards'; max service from Carpenter CarTech 303 datasheet
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Silicon stronger than Stainless Steel 303?
Stainless Steel 303 is stronger: its yield strength is 275 MPa against tensile strength 130 MPa for Silicon (2.12x).
Which is lighter, Silicon or Stainless Steel 303?
Silicon is lighter: 2,329 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 303.
Which is stiffer, Silicon or Stainless Steel 303?
Stainless Steel 303 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 131 GPa for Silicon, so the same part in Stainless Steel 303 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Silicon or Stainless Steel 303?
For the same stiffness or strength: Silicon is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Silicon
Stainless Steel 303
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.22x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.75x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.95x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.6x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.06x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.33x heavier
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Silicon or Stainless Steel 303?
Silicon conducts heat better: 163 W/m·K against 15 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 303.
Which expands less with temperature?
Silicon expands less: 2.62 µm/m·K against 16 µm/m·K for Stainless Steel 303.