Steel ER316L vs ER70S-2
Steel · grade comparison
Steel ER316L and ER70S-2 are both steel grades. ER70S-2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for ER316L, about 7% more. In exchange, ER316L is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 28% for ER70S-2, and ER316L is harder (175 HB vs 155 HB). ER316L runs hotter in service (550°C vs 400°C continuous) and ER70S-2 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 15 W/m·K). On the shop floor, ER70S-2 machines more easily (good vs fair) and ER70S-2 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than ER316L (premium, $$$).
ER316LChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
ER70S-2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
ER316L vs ER70S-2: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all 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 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
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
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
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.
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 71 kN·m/kg
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | ER316L | ER70S-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.
ER316L vs ER70S-2 — frequently asked
Is ER70S-2 stronger than ER316L?
Yes. ER70S-2 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for ER316L — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) vs 570 MPa (82.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, ER316L or ER70S-2?
ER70S-2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while ER316L is premium ($$$). 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, ER316L or ER70S-2?
ER70S-2. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (36/100) for ER316L; for welding the order is ER70S-2 first (excellent, 98/100) then ER316L (excellent, 90/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER316L and ER70S-2 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.