Stainless Steel 1.4848 vs 304C15
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4848 and 304C15 are both stainless steel grades. 1.4848 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304C15, about 12% more; tensile strength follows at 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, 304C15 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 14% for 1.4848, and 1.4848 is harder (190 HB vs 140 HB). 1.4848 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 760°C continuous) and 304C15 conducts heat better (16.2 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 304C15 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 304C15 welds better (excellent vs fair).
1.4848Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
304C15Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
1.4848 vs 304C15: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb
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 | 1.4848 | 304C15 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
1.4848 vs 304C15 — frequently asked
Is 1.4848 stronger than 304C15?
Yes. 1.4848 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304C15 — about 12% more. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.4848 or 304C15?
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, 1.4848 or 304C15?
304C15. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (25/100) for 1.4848; for welding the order is 304C15 first (excellent, 85/100) then 1.4848 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4848 and 304C15 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.