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Stainless Steel 1.4373-1/2 Hard vs 1.4373 Full Hard

Stainless Steel · 1.4373 temper comparison

1.4373-1/2 Hard and 1.4373 Full Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 1.4373: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus Full Hard. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 1.4373 Full Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) against 820 MPa (119 ksi) for 1.4373-1/2 Hard, about 26% more; tensile strength follows at 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) vs 1,070 MPa (155 ksi). In exchange, 1.4373-1/2 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 5% for 1.4373 Full Hard, and 1.4373 Full Hard is harder (380 HB vs 310 HB). On the shop floor, 1.4373-1/2 Hard welds better (good vs fair).

1.4373-1/2 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

1.4373 Full HardChoose it when strength drives the design.

1.4373-1/2 Hard vs 1.4373 Full Hard: properties

1.4373-1/2 Hard1.4373 Full Hard

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,070 MPa155 ksi
1,320 MPa191 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

820 MPa119 ksi
1,030 MPa149 ksi

Elongation at Break

12%
5%

Reduction in Area

45%
25%

Shear Strength

640 MPa92.8 ksi
790 MPa115 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

50 J36.9 ft·lbf
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

310 HB
380 HB

Hardness, Vickers

330 HV
410 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 145 GPa21 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 90 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 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)

300°C572 °F
280°C536 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.8 µm/m·K9.3 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.4 % IACS
2.3 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

7.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.7 µΩ·in
7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

49 / 100
47 / 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

42 / 100
37 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
38%

Weldability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

32 / 100
12 / 100

Same in both: Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 72 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%

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 scale1.4373

1.4373-1/2 Hard vs 1.4373 Full Hard — frequently asked

Is 1.4373 Full Hard stronger than 1.4373-1/2 Hard?

Yes. 1.4373 Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) against 820 MPa (119 ksi) for 1.4373-1/2 Hard — about 26% more. Tensile strength is 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) vs 1,070 MPa (155 ksi).

Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or Full Hard?

Annealed is the default 1.4373 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor Full Hard). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.

Which is easier to machine, 1.4373-1/2 Hard or 1.4373 Full Hard?

1.4373-1/2 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 42/100 against 37/100 for 1.4373 Full Hard; for welding the order is 1.4373-1/2 Hard first (good, 55/100) then 1.4373 Full Hard (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4373-1/2 Hard and 1.4373 Full Hard 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.