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Stainless Steel 2101 vs 2507

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2101 and 2507 are both stainless steel grades. 2507 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101, about 17% more; tensile strength follows at 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi). In exchange, 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 30% for 2507, and 2507 is harder (270 HB vs 230 HB). 2101 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 2.2 % IACS). On the shop floor, 2101 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 2101 welds better (very good vs good).

2101Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

2507Choose it when strength drives the design.

2101 vs 2507: properties

21012507

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

166 GPa24.1 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

750 MPa109 ksi
880 MPa128 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

530 MPa76.9 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
30%

Compressive Strength

530 MPa76.9 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
230 J170 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

230 HB
270 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

98 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

250 HV
285 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
28 HRC

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 55%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,350°C2,462 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,465°C2,669 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.7 % IACS
2.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

66 / 100
88 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

28%
20%

Weldability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb
72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb
220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

96 kN·m/kg
113 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

702 kJ/m³
961 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
5

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.6 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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale21012507

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability21012507
Default conditionSolution AnnealedSolution Annealed
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm1 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 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.

2101 vs 2507 — frequently asked

Is 2507 stronger than 2101?

Yes. 2507 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2101 or 2507?

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 is easier to machine, 2101 or 2507?

2101. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (22/100) for 2507; for welding the order is 2101 first (very good, 70/100) then 2507 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2101 and 2507 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.