Stainless Steel 2304 vs Zeron 100
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 2304 and Zeron 100 are both stainless steel grades. Zeron 100 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 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi). Zeron 100 is harder — 25 HRC against 22 HRC for 2304 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, 2304 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 2304 forms better (good vs fair).
2304Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
Zeron 100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
2304 vs Zeron 100: 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
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
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% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 400 MPa58 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Polishability 70 / 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 | 2304 | Zeron 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 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.
2304 vs Zeron 100 — frequently asked
Is Zeron 100 stronger than 2304?
Yes. Zeron 100 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 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 2304 or Zeron 100?
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 Zeron 100?
2304. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (25/100) for Zeron 100; for welding the order is 2304 first (very good, 72/100) then Zeron 100 (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2304 and Zeron 100 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.