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Stainless Steel S32404 vs Zeron 100

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel S32404 and Zeron 100 are both stainless steel grades. Zeron 100 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for S32404, about 22% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). On the shop floor, S32404 forms better (good vs fair) and Zeron 100 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than S32404 (high, $$$$).

Zeron 100Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

S32404 vs Zeron 100: properties

S32404Zeron 100

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

510 MPa74 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Reduction in Area

55%
60%

Compressive Strength

510 MPa74 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

370 MPa53.7 ksi
400 MPa58 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

180 J133 ft·lbf
230 J170 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

240 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

100 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

24 HRC
25 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

250 HV
260 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Elongation at Break 30%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,350°C2,462 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,450°C2,642 °F
1,400°C2,552 °F

Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14.7 W/m·K8.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
482 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F
12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
280°C536 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
8.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m33.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
86 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

28 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

25%
20%

Weldability

62 / 100
65 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

—
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

—
35 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
4.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

70%
55%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

90 kN·m/kg
106 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

650 kJ/m³
961 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
5

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.6 MN·m/kg

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 scaleS32404Zeron 100

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityS32404Zeron 100
CNC machining—Yes
Sheet metal—Yes
Default condition—Solution Annealed
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
Black Oxide—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
Cerakote—Yes
Chrome Plating—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
Electropolishing—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
Nickel Plating—Yes
PTFE Coating—Yes
Painting—Yes
Passivation (Stainless Steel)—Yes

They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

S32404 vs Zeron 100 — frequently asked

Is Zeron 100 stronger than S32404?

Yes. Zeron 100 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for S32404 — about 22% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which is cheaper, S32404 or Zeron 100?

Zeron 100 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while S32404 is high ($$$$). 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 S32404 over Zeron 100?

Pick Zeron 100 when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S32404 and Zeron 100 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.