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Stainless Steel 1.4848 vs 321C11

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4848 and 321C11 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 321C11, about 12% more. In exchange, 321C11 is the more ductile: elongation 39% versus 14% for 1.4848, and 1.4848 is harder (190 HB vs 150 HB). 1.4848 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 850°C continuous) and 321C11 conducts heat better (16.2 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 321C11 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 321C11 welds better (very good vs fair).

1.4848Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

321C11Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

1.4848 vs 321C11: properties

1.4848321C11

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

185 GPa26.8 Msi
193 GPa28 Msi

Shear Modulus

72 GPa10.4 Msi
77 GPa11.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

147 GPa21.3 Msi
166 GPa24.1 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

14%
39%

Reduction in Area

15%
50%

Shear Strength

345 MPa50 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

200 MPa29 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

12 J8.9 ft·lbf
100 J73.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

200 HV
158 HV

Compressive Strength

—
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 530 MPa76.9 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,370°C2,498 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

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

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15 µm/m·K8.3 µin/in·°F
16.6 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,100°C2,012 °F
850°C1,562 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.9 % IACS
2.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in
7.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.08 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
42%

Weldability

45 / 100
78 / 100

Formability (cold)

8 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

75 / 100
68 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

30 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

45 / 100
58 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.9 MN·m/kg
24.9 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

212 kJ/m³
162 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.6 mm²/s
4.2 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 68 kN·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 scale1.4848321C11

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4848321C11
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 321C11 — frequently asked

Is 1.4848 stronger than 321C11?

Yes. 1.4848 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 321C11 — about 12% more. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 530 MPa (76.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4848 or 321C11?

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 321C11?

321C11. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (25/100) for 1.4848; for welding the order is 321C11 first (very good, 78/100) then 1.4848 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4848 and 321C11 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.