Stainless Steel A286 vs PH 13-8 Mo
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel A286 and PH 13-8 Mo are both stainless steel grades. PH 13-8 Mo is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for A286, about 158% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, A286 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 14% for PH 13-8 Mo, and PH 13-8 Mo is harder (320 HB vs 170 HB). A286 runs hotter in service (650°C vs 315°C continuous) and PH 13-8 Mo conducts heat better (14 W/m·K vs 12.6 W/m·K). On the shop floor, PH 13-8 Mo sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than A286 (specialty, $$$$$).
A286Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
PH 13-8 MoChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.
A286 vs PH 13-8 Mo: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Compressive Strength
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | A286 | PH 13-8 Mo |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | Condition A |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$ 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.
A286 vs PH 13-8 Mo — frequently asked
Is PH 13-8 Mo stronger than A286?
Yes. PH 13-8 Mo has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 310 MPa (45 ksi) for A286 — about 158% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which is cheaper, A286 or PH 13-8 Mo?
PH 13-8 Mo is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while A286 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, A286 or PH 13-8 Mo?
PH 13-8 Mo, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 25/100 for A286; for welding the order is PH 13-8 Mo first (good, 60/100) then A286 (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A286 and PH 13-8 Mo 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.