Stainless Steel 302 vs 304
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 302 and 304 are both stainless steel grades. 302 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). 304 runs hotter in service (870°C vs 760°C continuous). On the shop floor, 304 welds better (excellent vs good) and 304 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 302 (premium, $$$).
302Choose it when strength drives the design.
304Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.
302 vs 304: 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)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 55% · Hardness, Brinell 150 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 82 HRB · Hardness, Vickers 160 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.3 µm/m·K9.6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 4.1 mm²/s · 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 | 302 | 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Casting & forging | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| 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.
302 vs 304 — frequently asked
Is 302 stronger than 304?
Yes. 302 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 302 or 304?
304 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 302 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, 302 or 304?
304. Its weldability rates excellent (88/100) against good (55/100) for 302.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 302 and 304 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.