Nickel Alloy Monel 400 vs Stainless Steel 316L
Cross-family material comparison
Nickel Alloy Monel 400 is a nickel alloy grade and Stainless Steel 316L is a stainless steel grade — different families, so density, stiffness and cost move together with strength. 316L is the stronger of the two: yield strength 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Monel 400, about 21% more; tensile strength follows at 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). 316L is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 45% for Monel 400, and 316L is harder (150 HB vs 125 HB). 316L is lighter (7.98 g/cm³ vs 8.8 g/cm³ for Monel 400) and 316L is stiffer (193 GPa vs 179 GPa). On the shop floor, 316L machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Monel 400 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 316L (high, $$$$).
Monel 400Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
316LChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Monel 400 vs 316L: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all grades of the two families in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all grades of the two families in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Reduction in Area 65%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Monel 400 | 316L |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | O | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 1.5 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | — | Yes |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | — | Yes |
| Hard Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. They share 5 finishes: Electropolishing, Gold Plating, HVOF Coating, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
Monel 400 vs 316L — frequently asked
Is 316L stronger than Monel 400?
Yes. 316L has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Monel 400 — about 21% more. Tensile strength is 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Monel 400 or 316L?
Monel 400 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 316L is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Monel 400 or 316L?
316L. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for Monel 400; for welding the order is 316L first (excellent, 90/100) then Monel 400 (very good, 82/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Monel 400 and 316L side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.