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Stainless Steel E308H vs ER308LSi

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E308H and ER308LSi are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. E308H is harder — 180 HB against 165 HB for ER308LSi — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. E308H runs hotter in service (760°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, ER308LSi forms better (very good vs good).

E308HChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.

E308H vs ER308LSi: properties

E308HER308LSi

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
75 GPa10.9 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
152 GPa22 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

600 MPa87 ksi
580 MPa84.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
38%

Reduction in Area

45%
55%

Compressive Strength

430 MPa62.4 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Shear Strength

390 MPa56.6 ksi
370 MPa53.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
250 MPa36.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
160 MPa·√m146 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
80 J59 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

180 HB
165 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
85 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
180 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

17.3 µm/m·K9.6 µin/in·°F
16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

760°C1,400 °F
425°C797 °F

Min Service Temperature

-100°C-148 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.4 % IACS
2.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in
7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

62 / 100
66 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 V

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

88 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
—

Same in both: Machinability 38 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Typical Recycled Content

70%
65%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
73 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

452 kJ/m³
410 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
3.8 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 24.7 MN·m/kg · 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 scaleER308LSiE308H

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE308HER308LSi
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ 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.

E308H vs ER308LSi — frequently asked

What is the difference between E308H and ER308LSi?

Stainless Steel E308H and ER308LSi are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. E308H is harder — 180 HB against 165 HB for ER308LSi — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, E308H or ER308LSi?

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 welds better, E308H or ER308LSi?

ER308LSi. Its weldability rates excellent (95/100) against excellent (88/100) for E308H.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E308H and ER308LSi 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.