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Stainless Steel 2101 vs S39277

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2101 and S39277 are both stainless steel grades. S39277 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101, about 21% 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 S39277, and S39277 is harder (280 HB vs 230 HB). 2101 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 2 % IACS). On the shop floor, 2101 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 2101 welds better (very good vs good), and 2101 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than S39277 (high, $$$$).

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

S39277Choose it when strength drives the design.

2101 vs S39277: properties

2101S39277

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
640 MPa92.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
30%

Reduction in Area

55%
65%

Compressive Strength

530 MPa76.9 ksi
650 MPa94.3 ksi

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
540 MPa78.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
200 J148 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

230 HB
280 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

98 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

250 HV
290 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 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 400 MPa58 ksi

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
1,440°C2,624 °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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
280°C536 °F

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 · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.7 % IACS
2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
8.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m33.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.12 V

Corrosion Resistance

66 / 100
88 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

28%
20%

Weldability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
40 / 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
62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
55%

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
1,024 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 scaleS392772101

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability2101S39277
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.

2101 vs S39277 — frequently asked

Is S39277 stronger than 2101?

Yes. S39277 has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101 — about 21% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2101 or S39277?

2101 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while S39277 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 2101 or S39277?

2101. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for S39277; for welding the order is 2101 first (very good, 70/100) then S39277 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2101 and S39277 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.