Stainless Steel 1.4652 vs 20Cb-3
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4652 and 20Cb-3 are both stainless steel grades. 1.4652 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for 20Cb-3, about 39% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). 1.4652 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 42% for 20Cb-3, and 1.4652 is harder (210 HB vs 160 HB). 20Cb-3 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 400°C continuous) and 20Cb-3 conducts heat better (12.6 W/m·K vs 8.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 20Cb-3 machines more easily (33 vs 16 out of 100), 20Cb-3 welds better (very good vs good), and 20Cb-3 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 1.4652 (high, $$$$).
1.4652Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
20Cb-3Choose it when the part sees heat, or when the part is machined in volume.
1.4652 vs 20Cb-3: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades 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 stainless steel grades 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 60%
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)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
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
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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 stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1.4652 | 20Cb-3 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ 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.
1.4652 vs 20Cb-3 — frequently asked
Is 1.4652 stronger than 20Cb-3?
Yes. 1.4652 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for 20Cb-3 — about 39% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.4652 or 20Cb-3?
20Cb-3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 1.4652 is high ($$$$). 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, 1.4652 or 20Cb-3?
20Cb-3, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 33/100 against 16/100 for 1.4652; for welding the order is 20Cb-3 first (very good, 75/100) then 1.4652 (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4652 and 20Cb-3 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.