Stainless Steel 303 vs Nitronic 50
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 303 and Nitronic 50 are both stainless steel grades. Nitronic 50 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 655 MPa (95 ksi) for 303, about 22% more. Nitronic 50 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for 303, and 303 is harder (240 HB vs 217 HB). 303 conducts heat better (16.2 W/m·K vs 12.5 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 303 machines more easily (very good vs poor), Nitronic 50 welds better (very good vs poor), and 303 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than Nitronic 50 (specialty, $$$$$).
303Choose it when the part is machined in volume, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Nitronic 50Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
303 vs Nitronic 50: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
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: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 450 MPa65.3 ksi
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)
Min Service Temperature
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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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
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 | 303 | Nitronic 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Cold Drawn | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
303 vs Nitronic 50 — frequently asked
Is Nitronic 50 stronger than 303?
Yes. Nitronic 50 has a typical tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 655 MPa (95 ksi) for 303 — about 22% more.
Which is cheaper, 303 or Nitronic 50?
303 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while Nitronic 50 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 303 or Nitronic 50?
303. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against poor (28/100) for Nitronic 50; for welding the order is Nitronic 50 first (very good, 70/100) then 303 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 303 and Nitronic 50 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.