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Stainless Steel 1.4325 vs 301

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4325 and 301 are both stainless steel grades. 301 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1.4325, about 119% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, 1.4325 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 25% for 301, and 301 is harder (270 HB vs 160 HB). 1.4325 runs hotter in service (800°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, 1.4325 welds better (very good vs good) and 1.4325 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 301 (premium, $$$).

1.4325Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

301Choose it when strength drives the design.

1.4325 vs 301: properties

1.4325301

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
152 GPa22 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

600 MPa87 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

55%
25%

Reduction in Area

68%
45%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
580 MPa84.1 ksi

Shear Strength

410 MPa59.5 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

220 MPa·√m200 ksi·√in
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

170 J125 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
270 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

84 HRB
100 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

170 HV
285 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
27 HRC

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
7.88 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,395°C2,543 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F
16.9 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

280 J/g120 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

800°C1,472 °F
425°C797 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

7.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.7 µΩ·in
7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.05 V
-0.1 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

38 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
40%

Weldability

80 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

88 / 100
65 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.4 kg CO₂/kg
5.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb
150 L/kg18 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
55%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
114 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

175 kJ/m³
842 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
4.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
4

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale3011.4325

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4325301
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Cold Rolled
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Black Oxide—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Passivation (Stainless Steel)—Yes
Powder Coating—Yes

They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

1.4325 vs 301 — frequently asked

Is 301 stronger than 1.4325?

Yes. 301 has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1.4325 — about 119% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4325 or 301?

1.4325 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 301 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, 1.4325 or 301?

1.4325. Its weldability rates very good (80/100) against good (65/100) for 301.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4325 and 301 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.