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Stainless Steel E310H vs ER308

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel E310H and ER308 are both stainless steel grades. E310H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308, about 8% more; tensile strength follows at 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, ER308 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 16% for E310H, and E310H is harder (200 HB vs 185 HB). E310H runs hotter in service (1,100°C vs 760°C continuous). On the shop floor, ER308 machines more easily (fair vs poor), ER308 welds better (excellent vs good), and ER308 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than E310H (high, $$$$).

E310HChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

ER308Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

E310H vs ER308: properties

E310HER308

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

75 GPa10.9 Msi
77 GPa11.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
145 GPa21 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.28
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

660 MPa95.7 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

430 MPa62.4 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Elongation at Break

16%
40%

Reduction in Area

25%
55%

Compressive Strength

440 MPa63.8 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
150 MPa·√m137 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

30 J22.1 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: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,450°C2,642 °F

Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
15.5 W/m·K9 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

15.4 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)

1,100°C2,012 °F
760°C1,400 °F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °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).

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
65 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.08 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

26 / 100
38 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

22%
45%

Weldability

60 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

65 MJ/kg27,945 BTU/lb
57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.6 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

84 kN·m/kg
76 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

474 kJ/m³
410 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.5 mm²/s
3.9 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 scaleER308E310H

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityE310HER308
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.

E310H vs ER308 — frequently asked

Is E310H stronger than ER308?

Yes. E310H has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308 — about 8% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).

Which is cheaper, E310H or ER308?

ER308 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while E310H is high ($$$$). 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, E310H or ER308?

ER308. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (26/100) for E310H; for welding the order is ER308 first (excellent, 95/100) then E310H (good, 60/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E310H 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.