Stainless Steel 2205 vs 2304
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 2205 and 2304 are both stainless steel grades, both duplex ss. 2205 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 2304, about 17% more; tensile strength follows at 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi). 2205 is harder — 255 HB against 240 HB for 2304 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 2304 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 2205 (specialty, $$$$$).
2205Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
2304Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
2205 vs 2304: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 30% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 220 J162 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,385°C2,525 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,445°C2,633 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16 W/m·K9.2 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.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 2205 | 2304 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 1 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 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.
2205 vs 2304 — frequently asked
Is 2205 stronger than 2304?
Yes. 2205 has a typical yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 2304 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 2205 or 2304?
2304 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 2205 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, 2205 or 2304?
2205. Its weldability rates very good (78/100) against very good (72/100) for 2304.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2205 and 2304 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.