FabDigitFabDigit

Stainless Steel E309Mo vs ER308

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E309Mo and ER308 are both stainless steel grades. E309Mo is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308, about 13% more. In exchange, ER308 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 32% for E309Mo, and E309Mo is harder (200 HB vs 185 HB). On the shop floor, ER308 welds better (excellent vs very good) and ER308 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than E309Mo (high, $$$$).

E309MoChoose it when strength drives the design.

ER308Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

E309Mo vs ER308: properties

E309MoER308

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

196 GPa28.4 Msi
195 GPa28.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

150 GPa21.8 Msi
145 GPa21 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
40%

Reduction in Area

45%
55%

Compressive Strength

450 MPa65.3 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Shear Strength

380 MPa55.1 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

120 MPa·√m109 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

92 HRB
90 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

210 HV
195 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 600 MPa87 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 240 MPa34.8 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
15.5 W/m·K9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15.5 µm/m·K8.6 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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

750°C1,382 °F
760°C1,400 °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
7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.08 V

Corrosion Resistance

66 / 100
65 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

32 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
45%

Weldability

80 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

40 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

40%
45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.8 MN·m/kg
24.7 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

517 kJ/m³
410 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 76 kN·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 scaleER308E309Mo

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE309MoER308
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.

E309Mo vs ER308 — frequently asked

Is E309Mo stronger than ER308?

Yes. E309Mo has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308 — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E309Mo or ER308?

ER308 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while E309Mo is high ($$$$). 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, E309Mo or ER308?

ER308. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (32/100) for E309Mo; for welding the order is ER308 first (excellent, 95/100) then E309Mo (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E309Mo 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.