Stainless Steel 316 vs Titanium Grade 5
Cross-family material comparison
Stainless Steel 316 is a stainless steel grade and Titanium Grade 5 is a titanium grade — different families, so density, stiffness and cost move together with strength. Grade 5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 316, about 3.0 times as much; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 580 MPa (84.1 ksi). In exchange, 316 is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 14% for Grade 5, and Grade 5 is harder (334 HB vs 150 HB). Grade 5 is lighter (4.43 g/cm³ vs 8 g/cm³ for 316) and 316 is stiffer (193 GPa vs 113.8 GPa). On the shop floor, 316 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 316 welds better (excellent vs very good).
316Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Grade 5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
316 vs Grade 5: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all grades of the two families 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 grades of the two families 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
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
Hardness, Rockwell C
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.
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
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 grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 316 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Casting & forging | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | O |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 1 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | — |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | — |
| Gold Plating | Yes | — |
| Hard Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Passivation (Stainless Steel) | Yes | — |
| Pickling | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
| Silver Plating | Yes | — |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. They share 19 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, CrN, DLC, Electropolishing, HVOF Coating, MoS2, Multilayer CVD and 7 more.
316 vs Grade 5 — frequently asked
Is Grade 5 stronger than 316?
Yes. Grade 5 has a typical yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 316 — about 3.0 times as much. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 580 MPa (84.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 316 or Grade 5?
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, 316 or Grade 5?
316. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (20/100) for Grade 5; for welding the order is 316 first (excellent, 88/100) then Grade 5 (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316 and Grade 5 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.