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Stainless Steel 20Cb-3 vs N08024

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 20Cb-3 and N08024 are both stainless steel grades. 20Cb-3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for N08024, about 19% more. N08024 is harder — 180 HB against 160 HB for 20Cb-3 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 20Cb-3 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, 20Cb-3 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than N08024 (high, $$$$).

20Cb-3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

N08024Choose it when surface hardness matters.

20Cb-3 vs N08024: properties

20Cb-3N08024

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

74 GPa10.7 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

161 GPa23.4 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

345 MPa50 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

42%
45%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
270 MPa39.2 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

200 J148 ft·lbf
160 J118 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
180 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
87 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

170 HV
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 620 MPa89.9 ksi · Reduction in Area 60% · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.08 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
8.05 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,370°C2,498 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

14.8 µm/m·K8.2 µin/in·°F
14.4 µm/m·K8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

500°C932 °F
425°C797 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
280 J/g120 BTU/lb

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁶ Ω·m42.5 µΩ·in
1.05×10⁻⁶ Ω·m41.3 µΩ·in

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.6 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
78 / 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

33 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
30%

Weldability

75 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
75 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

150 L/kg18 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

40%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.9 MN·m/kg
24 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

308 kJ/m³
218 kJ/m³

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 77 kN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 3.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3

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 scaleN0802420Cb-3

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability20Cb-3N08024
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionSolution Annealed—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Passivation (Stainless Steel)Yes—

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

20Cb-3 vs N08024 — frequently asked

Is 20Cb-3 stronger than N08024?

Yes. 20Cb-3 has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for N08024 — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 20Cb-3 or N08024?

20Cb-3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while N08024 is high ($$$$). 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 20Cb-3 over N08024?

Pick 20Cb-3 when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat. Pick N08024 when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 20Cb-3 and N08024 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.