Stainless Steel 316L vs Titanium Grade 2
Cross-family material comparison
Stainless Steel 316L is a stainless steel grade and Titanium Grade 2 is a titanium grade — different families, so density, stiffness and cost move together with strength. Grade 2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 316L, about 31% more. In exchange, 316L is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 28% for Grade 2. Grade 2 is lighter (4.51 g/cm³ vs 7.98 g/cm³ for 316L) and 316L is stiffer (193 GPa vs 103 GPa). On the shop floor, 316L sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Grade 2 (specialty, $$$$$).
316LChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Grade 2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
316L vs Grade 2: 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, Vickers
Same in both: Hardness, Brinell 150 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 80 HRB
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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 40 / 100 · Weldability 90 / 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 grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 316L | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 1 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | — |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | — |
| Gold Plating | Yes | — |
| Hard Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Passivated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Passivation (Stainless Steel) | Yes | — |
| Pickling | Yes | — |
| Plated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Powder Coating | Yes | — |
| Silver Plating | Yes | — |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. They share 19 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, CrN, DLC, Electropolishing, HVOF Coating, MoS2, Multilayer CVD and 7 more.
316L vs Grade 2 — frequently asked
Is Grade 2 stronger than 316L?
Yes. Grade 2 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 316L — about 31% more. Tensile strength is 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 580 MPa (84.1 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 316L or Grade 2?
316L is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Grade 2 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose 316L over Grade 2?
Pick 316L when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat. Pick Grade 2 when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316L and Grade 2 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.