Stainless Steel 254 SMO vs AL-6XN
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 254 SMO and AL-6XN are both stainless steel grades, both corrosion resistant ss. AL-6XN is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 745 MPa (108 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 254 SMO, about 6% more. 254 SMO is harder — 190 HB against 180 HB for AL-6XN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 254 SMO conducts heat better (14 W/m·K vs 11.5 W/m·K).
254 SMOChoose it when surface hardness matters.
AL-6XNChoose it when strength drives the design.
254 SMO vs AL-6XN: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 75 GPa10.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 162 GPa23.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 45% · Reduction in Area 65%
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 -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 25 / 100 · Weldability 75 / 100 · Formability (cold) 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3
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 | 254 SMO | AL-6XN |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
254 SMO vs AL-6XN — frequently asked
Is AL-6XN stronger than 254 SMO?
Yes. AL-6XN has a typical tensile strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 254 SMO — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, 254 SMO or AL-6XN?
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.
When should I choose 254 SMO over AL-6XN?
Pick 254 SMO when surface hardness matters. Pick AL-6XN when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 254 SMO and AL-6XN 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.