Stainless Steel 13-8 PH vs Custom 450
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 13-8 PH and Custom 450 are both stainless steel grades, both high strength ss. Custom 450 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,205 MPa (175 ksi) against 827 MPa (120 ksi) for 13-8 PH, about 46% more; tensile strength follows at 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi). Custom 450 is harder — 390 HB against 311 HB for 13-8 PH — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Custom 450 conducts heat better (15.9 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Custom 450 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 13-8 PH (specialty, $$$$$).
Custom 450Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
13-8 PH vs Custom 450: 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.
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.6 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°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)
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 58 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 30% · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.8 MN·m/kg
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 | 13-8 PH | Custom 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Condition A | H900 |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
13-8 PH vs Custom 450 — frequently asked
Is Custom 450 stronger than 13-8 PH?
Yes. Custom 450 has a typical yield strength of 1,205 MPa (175 ksi) against 827 MPa (120 ksi) for 13-8 PH — about 46% more. Tensile strength is 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 13-8 PH or Custom 450?
Custom 450 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 13-8 PH is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose 13-8 PH over Custom 450?
Pick Custom 450 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 13-8 PH and Custom 450 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.