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Stainless Steel 1.4570 vs 303

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4570 and 303 are both stainless steel grades. 303 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1.4570, about 73% more; tensile strength follows at 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, 1.4570 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for 303, and 303 is harder (240 HB vs 175 HB). On the shop floor, 1.4570 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 303 (premium, $$$).

1.4570Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

303Choose it when strength drives the design.

1.4570 vs 303: properties

1.4570303

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
140 GPa20.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

600 MPa87 ksi
655 MPa95 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

260 MPa37.7 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
30%

Reduction in Area

55%
50%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

175 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
99 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

185 HV
250 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Shear Strength 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Liquidus Temperature

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °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
17.3 µm/m·K9.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
275 J/g118 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 760°C1,400 °F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °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).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
58 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
40 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 72 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 78% · Polishability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
83 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

175 kJ/m³
525 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
4.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 24.4 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3

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 scale3031.4570

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4570303
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—Cold Drawn
Relative cost$$ Standard$$$ 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.

1.4570 vs 303 — frequently asked

Is 303 stronger than 1.4570?

Yes. 303 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 1.4570 — about 73% more. Tensile strength is 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4570 or 303?

1.4570 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 303 is premium ($$$). 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, 1.4570 or 303?

303. Its weldability rates poor (25/100) against poor (20/100) for 1.4570.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4570 and 303 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.