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Stainless Steel ER308Si vs ER309

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel ER308Si and ER309 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 400 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER309 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 760°C continuous).

ER309Choose it when the part sees heat.

ER308Si vs ER309: properties

ER308SiER309

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

195 GPa28.3 Msi
196 GPa28.4 Msi

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

Reduction in Area

55%
50%

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
390 MPa56.6 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

175 HB
180 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

88 HRB
89 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

185 HV
190 HV

Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 600 MPa87 ksi · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 400 MPa58 ksi · Elongation at Break 38% · Compressive Strength 400 MPa58 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 240 MPa34.8 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.95 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³
7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³

Same in both: 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 Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

760°C1,400 °F
1,000°C1,832 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb

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)

-0.08 V
-0.1 V

Corrosion Resistance

68 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

40 / 100
34 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
38%

Weldability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
65 / 100

Same in both: Formability (cold) 60 / 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)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
5.2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

200 L/kg24 gal/lb
130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

55%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

75 kN·m/kg
76 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

24.5 MN·m/kg
24.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

410 kJ/m³
408 kJ/m³

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 3.8 mm²/s · 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 scaleER308SiER309

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityER308SiER309
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.

ER308Si vs ER309 — frequently asked

What is the difference between ER308Si and ER309?

Stainless Steel ER308Si and ER309 are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 400 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER309 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 760°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, ER308Si 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.

Which is easier to machine, ER308Si or ER309?

ER308Si. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (34/100) for ER309.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER308Si 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.