Stainless Steel E33-31 vs ER308
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel E33-31 and ER308 are both stainless steel grades. E33-31 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, ER308 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 33% for E33-31, and E33-31 is harder (235 HB vs 185 HB). ER308 runs hotter in service (760°C vs 550°C continuous) and ER308 conducts heat better (15.5 W/m·K vs 12 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER308 machines more easily (fair vs poor), ER308 welds better (excellent vs very good), and ER308 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than E33-31 (high, $$$$).
E33-31Choose it when strength drives the design.
ER308Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
E33-31 vs ER308: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | E33-31 | ER308 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
E33-31 vs ER308 — frequently asked
Is E33-31 stronger than ER308?
Yes. E33-31 has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for ER308 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).
Which is cheaper, E33-31 or ER308?
ER308 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while E33-31 is high ($$$$). 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, E33-31 or ER308?
ER308. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (20/100) for E33-31; for welding the order is ER308 first (excellent, 95/100) then E33-31 (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in E33-31 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.