Stainless Steel 15-7 Mo vs A286
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 15-7 Mo and A286 are both stainless steel grades. 15-7 Mo is the stronger of the two: yield strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for A286, about 34% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, A286 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 25% for 15-7 Mo, and 15-7 Mo is harder (200 HB vs 170 HB). A286 runs hotter in service (650°C vs 425°C continuous) and 15-7 Mo conducts heat better (16 W/m·K vs 12.6 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 15-7 Mo machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 15-7 Mo sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than A286 (specialty, $$$$$).
15-7 MoChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
A286Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
15-7 Mo vs A286: 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
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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi
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)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Brazeability / Solderability
Castability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | 15-7 Mo | A286 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Condition A | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
15-7 Mo vs A286 — frequently asked
Is 15-7 Mo stronger than A286?
Yes. 15-7 Mo has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for A286 — about 34% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 15-7 Mo or A286?
15-7 Mo is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while A286 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, 15-7 Mo or A286?
15-7 Mo. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (25/100) for A286; for welding the order is A286 first (good, 55/100) then 15-7 Mo (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 15-7 Mo and A286 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.