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Stainless Steel E308LMo vs ER308H

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E308LMo and ER308H are both stainless steel grades. ER308H is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for E308LMo, about 5% more. ER308H runs hotter in service (800°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, ER308H sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than E308LMo (high, $$$$).

ER308HChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

E308LMo vs ER308H: properties

E308LMoER308H

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

195 GPa28.3 Msi
196 GPa28.4 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

560 MPa81.2 ksi
590 MPa85.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

400 MPa58 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
38%

Compressive Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Shear Strength

350 MPa50.8 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

145 MPa·√m132 ksi·√in
180 MPa·√m164 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
85 J62.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

180 HB
175 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

89 HRB
87 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
185 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 55% · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 230 MPa33.4 ksi

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 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
285 J/g123 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.3 % IACS
2.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.5 µΩ·in
7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
58 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

35 / 100
38 / 100

Weldability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Formability (cold)

58 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.8 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb
130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
75 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.7 MN·m/kg
24.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

410 kJ/m³
439 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
4.1 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 scaleER308HE308LMo

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE308LMoER308H
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.

E308LMo vs ER308H — frequently asked

Is ER308H stronger than E308LMo?

Yes. ER308H has a typical tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for E308LMo — about 5% more.

Which is cheaper, E308LMo or ER308H?

ER308H is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while E308LMo is high ($$$$). 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 E308LMo over ER308H?

Pick ER308H when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E308LMo and ER308H 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.