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Stainless Steel 1.6982 vs CA15

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 1.6982 and CA15 are both stainless steel grades. 1.6982 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for CA15, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, CA15 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 19% for 1.6982, and 1.6982 is harder (250 HB vs 225 HB). CA15 runs hotter in service (650°C vs 450°C continuous). On the shop floor, 1.6982 welds better (very good vs fair).

1.6982Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

CA15Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

1.6982 vs CA15: properties

1.6982CA15

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
78 GPa11.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

830 MPa120 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

640 MPa92.8 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Elongation at Break

19%
22%

Compressive Strength

650 MPa94.3 ksi
—

Shear Strength

500 MPa72.5 ksi
430 MPa62.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

370 MPa53.7 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

100 J73.8 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

250 HB
225 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

24 HRC
20 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

265 HV
235 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Reduction in Area 55%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.61 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,480°C2,696 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,530°C2,786 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
24.5 W/m·K14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
10.3 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

450°C842 °F
650°C1,202 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-29°C-20 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.9 % IACS
3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
5.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

55 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

42 / 100
45 / 100

Weldability

70 / 100
40 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

68 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb
40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
75%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

107 kN·m/kg
92 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.8 MN·m/kg
26.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,024 kJ/m³
650 kJ/m³

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

10
8

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 7 mm²/s

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 scaleCA151.6982

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1.6982CA15
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.

1.6982 vs CA15 — frequently asked

Is 1.6982 stronger than CA15?

Yes. 1.6982 has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for CA15 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1.6982 or CA15?

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 welds better, 1.6982 or CA15?

1.6982. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against fair (40/100) for CA15.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.6982 and CA15 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.