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Stainless Steel 1.4560 vs 301

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4560 and 301 are both stainless steel grades. 301 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for 1.4560, about 148% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi). In exchange, 1.4560 is the more ductile: elongation 52% versus 25% for 301, and 301 is harder (270 HB vs 150 HB). 1.4560 runs hotter in service (600°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, 1.4560 machines more easily (48 vs 35 out of 100) and 1.4560 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 301 (premium, $$$).

1.4560Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

301Choose it when strength drives the design.

1.4560 vs 301: properties

1.4560301

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)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

52%
25%

Reduction in Area

72%
45%

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

160 MPa·√m146 ksi·√in
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

170 J125 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

150 HB
270 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

80 HRB
100 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

160 HV
285 HV

Compressive Strength

—
580 MPa84.1 ksi

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
425°C797 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · 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

66 / 100
60 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

48 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
40%

Weldability

68 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5 kg CO₂/kg
5.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 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)

68 kN·m/kg
114 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

137 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 scale3011.4560

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4560301
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.

1.4560 vs 301 — frequently asked

Is 301 stronger than 1.4560?

Yes. 301 has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) for 1.4560 — about 148% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4560 or 301?

1.4560 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 is easier to machine, 1.4560 or 301?

1.4560, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 48/100 against 35/100 for 301.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4560 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.