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Stainless Steel 2205 vs S32404

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2205 and S32404 are both stainless steel grades. 2205 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for S32404, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). 2205 is harder — 255 HB against 240 HB for S32404 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 2205 welds better (very good vs good) and S32404 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than 2205 (specialty, $$$$$).

2205Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

S32404Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.

2205 vs S32404: properties

2205S32404

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

790 MPa115 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Reduction in Area

60%
55%

Compressive Strength

540 MPa78.3 ksi
510 MPa74 ksi

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

220 J162 ft·lbf
180 J133 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

26 HRC
24 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

265 HV
250 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 30% · Hardness, Rockwell B 100 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °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.

Thermal Conductivity

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
—

Same in both: 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

80 / 100
70 / 100

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

32 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
25%

Weldability

78 / 100
62 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
—

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
200 L/kg24 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
70%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

101 kN·m/kg
90 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

729 kJ/m³
650 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.4 mm²/s
4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
4

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 scale2205S32404

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability2205S32404
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionSolution Annealed—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall1 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.

2205 vs S32404 — frequently asked

Is 2205 stronger than S32404?

Yes. 2205 has a typical yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for S32404 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2205 or S32404?

S32404 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high 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 S32404?

2205. Its weldability rates very good (78/100) against good (62/100) for S32404.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2205 and S32404 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.