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Stainless Steel 2101 vs S82031

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2101 and S82031 are both stainless steel grades. S82031 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101, about 15% more. In exchange, 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 33% for S82031, and S82031 is harder (245 HB vs 230 HB). 2101 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 2.2 % IACS). On the shop floor, S82031 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 2101 (premium, $$$).

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

S82031Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

2101 vs S82031: properties

2101S82031

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
780 MPa113 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

530 MPa76.9 ksi
610 MPa88.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
33%

Reduction in Area

55%
60%

Compressive Strength

530 MPa76.9 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Shear Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

150 J111 ft·lbf
140 J103 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

230 HB
245 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

98 HRB
99 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

250 HV
255 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
24 HRC

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

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,465°C2,669 °F
1,450°C2,642 °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
275 J/g118 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).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V · Corrosion Resistance 66 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
48 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 28% · Weldability 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.5 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb
190 L/kg22.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
70%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

96 kN·m/kg
100 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

702 kJ/m³
930 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 scaleS820312101

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability2101S82031
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionSolution Annealed—
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$ Standard
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 S82031 — frequently asked

Is S82031 stronger than 2101?

Yes. S82031 has a typical yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 780 MPa (113 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2101 or S82031?

S82031 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 2101 is premium ($$$). 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 2101 over S82031?

Pick 2101 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick S82031 when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2101 and S82031 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.