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Stainless Steel 2205 vs S32808

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2205 and S32808 are both stainless steel grades. S32808 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) for 2205, about 15% more. S32808 is harder — 280 HV against 265 HV for 2205 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 2205 conducts heat better (16 W/m·K vs 13.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 2205 machines more easily (32 vs 22 out of 100), 2205 welds better (very good vs good), and 2205 forms better (good vs fair).

2205Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.

S32808Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

2205 vs S32808: properties

2205S32808

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

790 MPa115 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Reduction in Area

60%
55%

Compressive Strength

540 MPa78.3 ksi
640 MPa92.8 ksi

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

220 J162 ft·lbf
180 J133 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
265 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

100 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

26 HRC
27 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

265 HV
280 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%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,350°C2,462 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,420°C2,588 °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
13.5 W/m·K7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F
12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 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)

-0.15 V
-0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
88 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

32 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
18%

Weldability

78 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
35 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
4.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

101 kN·m/kg
106 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

729 kJ/m³
961 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.4 mm²/s
3.7 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 scale2205S32808

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability2205S32808
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 S32808 — frequently asked

Is S32808 stronger than 2205?

Yes. S32808 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) for 2205 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 790 MPa (115 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2205 or S32808?

S32808 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 is easier to machine, 2205 or S32808?

2205, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 22/100 for S32808; for welding the order is 2205 first (very good, 78/100) then S32808 (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2205 and S32808 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.