Stainless Steel 1.4887 vs 2304
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4887 and 2304 are both stainless steel grades. 2304 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1.4887, about 84% more; tensile strength follows at 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, 1.4887 is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 30% for 2304, and 2304 is harder (240 HB vs 170 HB). 2304 is stiffer (200 GPa vs 190 GPa) and 1.4887 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 2304 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 2304 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 1.4887 (high, $$$$).
1.4887Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
2304Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
1.4887 vs 2304: 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
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)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Latent Heat of Fusion
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100
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 | 1.4887 | 2304 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ 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.
1.4887 vs 2304 — frequently asked
Is 2304 stronger than 1.4887?
Yes. 2304 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1.4887 — about 84% more. Tensile strength is 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.4887 or 2304?
2304 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 1.4887 is high ($$$$). 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, 1.4887 or 2304?
2304. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for 1.4887; for welding the order is 2304 first (very good, 72/100) then 1.4887 (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4887 and 2304 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.