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.
ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual
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 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stronger: its yield strength is 265 MPa against tensile strength 130 MPa for Silicon (2.04x).
Which is lighter, Silicon or Stainless Steel 316?
Silicon is lighter: 2,329 kg/m³ against 8,027 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 316.
Which is stiffer, Silicon or Stainless Steel 316?
Stainless Steel 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 131 GPa for Silicon, so the same part in Stainless Steel 316 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Silicon or Stainless Steel 316?
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 316
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.26x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.79x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
2.99x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.69x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.14x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
2.41x 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 316?
Silicon conducts heat better: 163 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 316.
Which expands less with temperature?
Silicon expands less: 2.62 µm/m·K against 16.5 µm/m·K for Stainless Steel 316.