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Stainless Steel E309LT-1 vs ER308H

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E309LT-1 and ER308H are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. E309LT-1 is harder — 200 HB against 175 HB for ER308H — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER308H runs hotter in service (800°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, ER308H sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than E309LT-1 (high, $$$$).

E309LT-1Choose it when surface hardness matters.

ER308HChoose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.

E309LT-1 vs ER308H: properties

E309LT-1ER308H

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

197 GPa28.6 Msi
196 GPa28.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

140 GPa20.3 Msi
160 GPa23.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

580 MPa84.1 ksi
590 MPa85.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Reduction in Area

52%
55%

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
85 J62.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

200 HB
175 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
87 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

210 HV
185 HV

Compressive Strength

—
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
180 MPa·√m164 ksi·√in

Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Elongation at Break 38% · 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

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2.4 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m30.7 µΩ·in
7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.05 V

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
58 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

33 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

38%
40%

Weldability

90 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

—
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

—
60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

73 kN·m/kg
75 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.9 MN·m/kg
24.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

448 kJ/m³
439 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 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 scaleER308HE309LT-1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE309LT-1ER308H
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.

E309LT-1 vs ER308H — frequently asked

What is the difference between E309LT-1 and ER308H?

Stainless Steel E309LT-1 and ER308H are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 420 MPa — strength does not separate them. E309LT-1 is harder — 200 HB against 175 HB for ER308H — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, E309LT-1 or ER308H?

ER308H is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while E309LT-1 is high ($$$$). 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, E309LT-1 or ER308H?

ER308H. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (33/100) for E309LT-1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E309LT-1 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.