Stainless Steel 1.4848 vs CN3M
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4848 and CN3M are both stainless steel grades. 1.4848 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for CN3M, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, CN3M is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 14% for 1.4848, and 1.4848 is harder (190 HB vs 155 HB). 1.4848 is lighter (7.75 g/cm³ vs 8 g/cm³ for CN3M) and 1.4848 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, CN3M welds better (good vs fair) and 1.4848 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CN3M (high, $$$$).
1.4848Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
CN3MChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
1.4848 vs CN3M: 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
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 200 MPa29 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,370°C2,498 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,425°C2,597 °F
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)
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 | 1.4848 | CN3M |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
1.4848 vs CN3M — frequently asked
Is 1.4848 stronger than CN3M?
Yes. 1.4848 has a typical yield strength of 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for CN3M — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.4848 or CN3M?
1.4848 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while CN3M 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, 1.4848 or CN3M?
CN3M, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for 1.4848; for welding the order is CN3M first (good, 55/100) then 1.4848 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4848 and CN3M 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.