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Stainless Steel 1.4971 vs 301

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.4971 and 301 are both stainless steel grades. 301 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 1.4971, about 43% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 815 MPa (118 ksi). In exchange, 1.4971 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for 301, and 301 is harder (270 HB vs 190 HB). 301 is lighter (7.88 g/cm³ vs 8.19 g/cm³ for 1.4971) and 1.4971 runs hotter in service (900°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, 301 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 301 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 1.4971 (high, $$$$).

1.4971Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

301Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

1.4971 vs 301: properties

1.4971301

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
193 GPa28 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
152 GPa22 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

815 MPa118 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

400 MPa58 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

45%
25%

Reduction in Area

50%
45%

Shear Strength

520 MPa75.4 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

110 J81.1 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

190 HB
270 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

90 HRB
100 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
580 MPa84.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
27 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
285 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
7.88 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,300°C2,372 °F
1,395°C2,543 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,375°C2,507 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

12.4 W/m·K7.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

430 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15.7 µm/m·K8.7 µin/in·°F
16.9 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

900°C1,652 °F
425°C797 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.9 % IACS
2.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.8 µΩ·in
7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

66 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

25 / 100
35 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

14%
40%

Weldability

60 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
65 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

9.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb
150 L/kg18 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

100 kN·m/kg
114 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.4 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

400 kJ/m³
842 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.5 mm²/s
4.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
4

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 scale3011.4971

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.4971301
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Cold Rolled
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Black Oxide—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Passivation (Stainless Steel)—Yes
Powder Coating—Yes

They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

1.4971 vs 301 — frequently asked

Is 301 stronger than 1.4971?

Yes. 301 has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 1.4971 — about 43% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 815 MPa (118 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.4971 or 301?

301 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 1.4971 is high ($$$$). 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, 1.4971 or 301?

301. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for 1.4971; for welding the order is 301 first (good, 65/100) then 1.4971 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4971 and 301 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.