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Stainless Steel E308LT-1 vs ER309Cb

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E308LT-1 and ER309Cb are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 410 MPa — strength does not separate them. E308LT-1 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for ER309Cb, and ER309Cb is harder (190 HB vs 180 HB). On the shop floor, E308LT-1 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than ER309Cb (high, $$$$).

E308LT-1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

E308LT-1 vs ER309Cb: properties

E308LT-1ER309Cb

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

195 GPa28.3 Msi
196 GPa28.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

590 MPa85.6 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
35%

Reduction in Area

55%
45%

Compressive Strength

410 MPa59.5 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

225 MPa32.6 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in
150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

52 J38.4 ft·lbf
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

180 HB
190 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
90 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

190 HV
200 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 410 MPa59.5 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 Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.6 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F
15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 800°C1,472 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.3 % IACS
2.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in
7.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m30.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
—

Corrosion Resistance

63 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

36 / 100
32 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

42%
35%

Weldability

92 / 100
88 / 100

Formability (cold)

70 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

—
55 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

6.3 kg CO₂/kg
4.8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
150 L/kg18 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

60%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
76 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.7 MN·m/kg
24.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

431 kJ/m³
429 kJ/m³

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 3.8 mm²/s · 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 scaleER309CbE308LT-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE308LT-1ER309Cb
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$$ High
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.

E308LT-1 vs ER309Cb — frequently asked

What is the difference between E308LT-1 and ER309Cb?

Stainless Steel E308LT-1 and ER309Cb are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 410 MPa — strength does not separate them. E308LT-1 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 35% for ER309Cb, and ER309Cb is harder (190 HB vs 180 HB).

Which is cheaper, E308LT-1 or ER309Cb?

E308LT-1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while ER309Cb is high ($$$$). 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 E308LT-1 over ER309Cb?

Pick E308LT-1 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E308LT-1 and ER309Cb 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.