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Stainless Steel E219 vs ER308

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E219 and ER308 are both stainless steel grades. E219 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, ER308 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 32% for E219, and E219 is harder (200 HB vs 185 HB). On the shop floor, ER308 machines more easily (fair vs poor), ER308 welds better (excellent vs very good), and ER308 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than E219 (high, $$$$).

E219Choose it when strength drives the design.

ER308Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

E219 vs ER308: properties

E219ER308

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

196 GPa28.4 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

76 GPa11 Msi
77 GPa11.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
145 GPa21 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

690 MPa100 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
40%

Reduction in Area

45%
55%

Compressive Strength

470 MPa68.2 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
185 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

93 HRB
90 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

210 HV
195 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,390°C2,534 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,440°C2,624 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
15.5 W/m·K9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F
16.9 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
280 J/g120 BTU/lb

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 760°C1,400 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.08 V

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

25 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
45%

Weldability

80 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.4 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb
130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

55%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

88 kN·m/kg
76 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.1 MN·m/kg
24.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

540 kJ/m³
410 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleER308E219

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE219ER308
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

E219 vs ER308 — frequently asked

Is E219 stronger than ER308?

Yes. E219 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E219 or ER308?

ER308 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while E219 is high ($$$$). 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, E219 or ER308?

ER308. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (25/100) for E219; for welding the order is ER308 first (excellent, 95/100) then E219 (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E219 and ER308 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.