Stainless Steel 1.4849 vs 304C15
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4849 and 304C15 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 250 MPa — strength does not separate them. 304C15 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 10% for 1.4849, and 1.4849 is harder (180 HB vs 140 HB). 304C15 is stiffer (193 GPa vs 170 GPa) and 1.4849 runs hotter in service (1,050°C vs 760°C continuous). On the shop floor, 304C15 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 304C15 welds better (excellent vs good), and 304C15 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 1.4849 (high, $$$$).
1.4849Choose it when the part sees heat.
304C15Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
1.4849 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 250 MPa36.3 ksi
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
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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 72 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 70%
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 | 1.4849 | 304C15 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ 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.
1.4849 vs 304C15 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 1.4849 and 304C15?
Stainless Steel 1.4849 and 304C15 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 250 MPa — strength does not separate them. 304C15 is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 10% for 1.4849, and 1.4849 is harder (180 HB vs 140 HB).
Which is cheaper, 1.4849 or 304C15?
304C15 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 1.4849 is high ($$$$). 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, 1.4849 or 304C15?
304C15. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (20/100) for 1.4849; for welding the order is 304C15 first (excellent, 85/100) then 1.4849 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4849 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.