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Stainless Steel 1.4821 vs 2101

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4821 and 2101 are both stainless steel grades. 2101 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 1.4821, about 13% more. 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 20% for 1.4821. 1.4821 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 300°C continuous) and 2101 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 1.9 % IACS). On the shop floor, 2101 welds better (very good vs fair).

1.4821Choose it when the part sees heat.

2101Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1.4821 vs 2101: properties

1.48212101

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
166 GPa24.1 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

780 MPa113 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

470 MPa68.2 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
38%

Reduction in Area

30%
55%

Compressive Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

320 MPa46.4 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

30 J22.1 ft·lbf
150 J111 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

20 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

240 HV
250 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Hardness, Brinell 230 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 98 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,465°C2,669 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F
13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
300°C572 °F

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.9 % IACS
2.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in
6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
66 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.1 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

30 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
28%

Weldability

35 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

50 MJ/kg21,496 BTU/lb
48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

101 kN·m/kg
96 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

552 kJ/m³
702 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
3.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
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 scale1.48212101

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.48212101
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.

1.4821 vs 2101 — frequently asked

Is 2101 stronger than 1.4821?

Yes. 2101 has a typical yield strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 1.4821 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4821 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, 1.4821 or 2101?

2101. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for 1.4821; for welding the order is 2101 first (very good, 70/100) then 1.4821 (fair, 35/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4821 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.