Stainless Steel ER308H vs ER318
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel ER308H and ER318 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 415 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER308H is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 33% for ER318, and ER318 is harder (190 HB vs 175 HB). On the shop floor, ER308H sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than ER318 (high, $$$$).
ER308HChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
ER308H vs ER318: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 196 GPa28.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 590 MPa85.6 ksi · Compressive Strength 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 800°C1,472 °F
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) -0.05 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 88 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
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 | ER308H | ER318 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
ER308H vs ER318 — frequently asked
What is the difference between ER308H and ER318?
Stainless Steel ER308H and ER318 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 415 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER308H is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 33% for ER318, and ER318 is harder (190 HB vs 175 HB).
Which is cheaper, ER308H or ER318?
ER308H is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while ER318 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, ER308H or ER318?
ER308H. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (32/100) for ER318.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER308H and ER318 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.