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Stainless Steel 2304 vs 2507

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2304 and 2507 are both stainless steel grades. 2507 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 2304, about 35% more; tensile strength follows at 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi). 2507 is harder — 270 HB against 240 HB for 2304 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 2304 machines more easily (fair vs poor), 2304 welds better (very good vs good), and 2304 forms better (good vs fair).

2304Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.

2507Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

2304 vs 2507: properties

23042507

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

150 GPa21.8 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

680 MPa98.6 ksi
880 MPa128 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Compressive Strength

470 MPa68.2 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

220 J162 ft·lbf
230 J170 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

240 HB
270 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

99 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

22 HRC
28 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

250 HV
285 HV

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% · Reduction in Area 55%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,350°C2,462 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

275 J/g118 BTU/lb
260 J/g112 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°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

74 / 100
88 / 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

35 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
20%

Weldability

72 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb
72 MJ/kg30,954 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

100 L/kg12 gal/lb
220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

88 kN·m/kg
113 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.8 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

529 kJ/m³
961 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.3 mm²/s
4 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
5

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 scale23042507

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability23042507
Default conditionSolution AnnealedSolution Annealed
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.8 mm1 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 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.

2304 vs 2507 — frequently asked

Is 2507 stronger than 2304?

Yes. 2507 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 2304 — about 35% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2304 or 2507?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 2304 or 2507?

2304. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (22/100) for 2507; for welding the order is 2304 first (very good, 72/100) then 2507 (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2304 and 2507 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.