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Stainless Steel 20Cb-3 vs N08332

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 20Cb-3 and N08332 are both stainless steel grades. 20Cb-3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for N08332, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). 20Cb-3 is harder — 160 HB against 150 HB for N08332 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. N08332 runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, 20Cb-3 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than N08332 (high, $$$$).

20Cb-3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

N08332Choose it when the part sees heat.

20Cb-3 vs N08332: properties

20Cb-3N08332

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

193 GPa28 Msi
196 GPa28.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

74 GPa10.7 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

161 GPa23.4 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

345 MPa50 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Elongation at Break

42%
45%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

200 J148 ft·lbf
160 J118 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

160 HB
150 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

83 HRB
80 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

170 HV
158 HV

Compressive Strength

—
255 MPa37 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in

Same in both: Reduction in Area 60% · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,345°C2,453 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Thermal

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

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
1,100°C2,012 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
285 J/g123 BTU/lb

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.6 % IACS
1.7 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.08×10⁻⁶ Ω·m42.5 µΩ·in
1.02×10⁻⁶ Ω·m40.2 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
58 / 100

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%
25%

Weldability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
65 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb
95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
7 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

150 L/kg18 gal/lb
210 L/kg25.2 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 40%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

77 kN·m/kg
74 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.9 MN·m/kg
24.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

308 kJ/m³
159 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.1 mm²/s
3.4 mm²/s

Same in both: 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 scaleN0833220Cb-3

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability20Cb-3N08332
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 N08332 — frequently asked

Is 20Cb-3 stronger than N08332?

Yes. 20Cb-3 has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for N08332 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 20Cb-3 or N08332?

20Cb-3 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while N08332 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, 20Cb-3 or N08332?

20Cb-3. Its weldability rates very good (75/100) against very good (70/100) for N08332.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 20Cb-3 and N08332 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.