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Stainless Steel 1.4462 vs 2101

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4462 and 2101 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 540 MPa — strength does not separate them. 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 30% for 1.4462, and 1.4462 is harder (250 HB vs 230 HB). 2101 runs hotter in service (300°C vs 250°C continuous) and 2101 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 2.2 % IACS).

2101Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

1.4462 vs 2101: properties

1.44622101

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

165 GPa23.9 Msi
166 GPa24.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

770 MPa112 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
38%

Reduction in Area

60%
55%

Compressive Strength

540 MPa78.3 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Shear Strength

460 MPa66.7 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

230 J170 ft·lbf
150 J111 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

250 HB
230 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

25 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

260 HV
250 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
98 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,465°C2,669 °F

Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

260 J/g112 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
300°C572 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.05 V
-0.1 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
66 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

20%
28%

Weldability

72 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

99 kN·m/kg
96 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

729 kJ/m³
702 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4 mm²/s
3.8 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.6 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 scale1.44622101

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.44622101
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Solution Annealed
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—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
Electropolishing—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Passivation (Stainless Steel)—Yes

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

1.4462 vs 2101 — frequently asked

What is the difference between 1.4462 and 2101?

Stainless Steel 1.4462 and 2101 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 540 MPa — strength does not separate them. 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 30% for 1.4462, and 1.4462 is harder (250 HB vs 230 HB).

Which is cheaper, 1.4462 or 2101?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 1.4462 or 2101?

2101. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for 1.4462.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4462 and 2101 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.