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Stainless Steel ER308H vs ER630

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel ER308H and ER630 are both stainless steel grades. ER630 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for ER308H, about 83% more; tensile strength follows at 965 MPa (140 ksi) vs 590 MPa (85.6 ksi). In exchange, ER308H is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 12% for ER630, and ER630 is harder (320 HB vs 175 HB). ER308H runs hotter in service (800°C vs 300°C continuous) and ER308H conducts electricity better (2.4 % IACS vs 1.9 % IACS). On the shop floor, ER308H welds better (excellent vs very good) and ER308H sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than ER630 (high, $$$$).

ER308HChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

ER630Choose it when strength drives the design.

ER308H vs ER630: properties

ER308HER630

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

196 GPa28.4 Msi
197 GPa28.6 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.27

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

590 MPa85.6 ksi
965 MPa140 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Elongation at Break

38%
12%

Reduction in Area

55%
40%

Compressive Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
790 MPa115 ksi

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
615 MPa89.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

230 MPa33.4 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

180 MPa·√m164 ksi·√in
78 MPa·√m71 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

85 J62.7 ft·lbf
30 J22.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

175 HB
320 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

87 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

185 HV
335 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
33 HRC

Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
7.78 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,404°C2,559 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,440°C2,624 °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
17.5 W/m·K10.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F
10.8 µm/m·K6 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
300°C572 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-70°C-94 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.4 % IACS
1.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in
9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.05 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
50 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

38 / 100
35 / 100

Weldability

88 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb
53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.5 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

60%
50%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
124 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.8 MN·m/kg
25.3 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

439 kJ/m³
1,466 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.1 mm²/s
4.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
8

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 scaleER308HER630

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityER308HER630
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 ER630 — frequently asked

Is ER630 stronger than ER308H?

Yes. ER630 has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for ER308H — about 83% more. Tensile strength is 965 MPa (140 ksi) vs 590 MPa (85.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, ER308H or ER630?

ER308H is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while ER630 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, ER308H or ER630?

ER308H. Its weldability rates excellent (88/100) against very good (75/100) for ER630.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER308H and ER630 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.