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Stainless Steel 2304 vs S82122

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2304 and S82122 are both stainless steel grades. S82122 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 2304, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi). On the shop floor, S82122 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 2304 (premium, $$$).

S82122Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

2304 vs S82122: properties

2304S82122

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Bulk Modulus

150 GPa21.8 Msi
148 GPa21.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

680 MPa98.6 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Compressive Strength

470 MPa68.2 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
340 MPa49.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

220 J162 ft·lbf
120 J88.5 ft·lbf

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% · Hardness, Brinell 240 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB · Hardness, Rockwell C 22 HRC · Hardness, Vickers 250 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,455°C2,651 °F

Same in both: Density 7.75 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

Latent Heat of Fusion

275 J/g118 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
65 / 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
33 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
30%

Weldability

72 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

45 / 100
—

Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

3.8 kg CO₂/kg
3.6 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

100 L/kg12 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
65%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

88 kN·m/kg
93 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

529 kJ/m³
676 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.3 mm²/s
4 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.8 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 4

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 scaleS821222304

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability2304S82122
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.

2304 vs S82122 — frequently asked

Is S82122 stronger than 2304?

Yes. S82122 has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 2304 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 2304 or S82122?

S82122 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 2304 is premium ($$$). 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 2304 over S82122?

Pick S82122 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 2304 and S82122 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.