Stainless Steel ER309 vs ER309Cb
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel ER309 and ER309Cb are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 400 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER309Cb is harder — 190 HB against 180 HB for ER309 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. ER309 runs hotter in service (1,000°C vs 800°C continuous). On the shop floor, ER309 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than ER309Cb (high, $$$$).
ER309Choose it when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor.
ER309CbChoose it when surface hardness matters.
ER309 vs ER309Cb: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
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 76 GPa11 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 600 MPa87 ksi · Shear Strength 390 MPa56.6 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 240 MPa34.8 ksi
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.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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 · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m30.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100
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.
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 76 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 24.8 MN·m/kg · 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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ER309 | ER309Cb |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
ER309 vs ER309Cb — frequently asked
What is the difference between ER309 and ER309Cb?
Stainless Steel ER309 and ER309Cb are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 400 MPa — strength does not separate them. ER309Cb is harder — 190 HB against 180 HB for ER309 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.
Which is cheaper, ER309 or ER309Cb?
ER309 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while ER309Cb is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose ER309 over ER309Cb?
Pick ER309 when the part sees heat, or when cost is the deciding factor. Pick ER309Cb when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER309 and ER309Cb 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.