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Stainless Steel ER308H vs ER309

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel ER308H and ER309 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 415 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER309 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 800°C continuous).

ER309Choose it when the part sees heat.

ER308H vs ER309: properties

ER308HER309

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

77 GPa11.2 Msi
76 GPa11 Msi

Bulk Modulus

160 GPa23.2 Msi
145 GPa21 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.28

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

590 MPa85.6 ksi
600 MPa87 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Reduction in Area

55%
50%

Compressive Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
240 MPa34.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

180 MPa·√m164 ksi·√in
140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

85 J62.7 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

175 HB
180 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
89 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

185 HV
190 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 196 GPa28.4 Msi · Elongation at Break 38%

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

16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Latent Heat of Fusion

285 J/g123 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

800°C1,472 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.4 % IACS
2.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 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)

-0.05 V
-0.1 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

38 / 100
34 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

40%
38%

Weldability

88 / 100
92 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 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)

75 kN·m/kg
76 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

439 kJ/m³
408 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.1 mm²/s
3.8 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 24.8 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 scaleER308HER309

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityER308HER309
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$ Premium$$$ 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.

ER308H vs ER309 — frequently asked

What is the difference between ER308H and ER309?

Stainless Steel ER308H and ER309 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 415 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER309 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 800°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, ER308H or ER309?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

When should I choose ER308H over ER309?

Pick ER309 when the part sees heat.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER308H and ER309 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.