Stainless Steel 201-1/2 Hard vs 201 Cold Rolled
Stainless Steel · 201 temper comparison
201-1/2 Hard and 201 Cold Rolled are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 201: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus Cold Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 201-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 201 Cold Rolled, about 73% more; tensile strength follows at 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). In exchange, 201 Cold Rolled is the more ductile: elongation 42% versus 18% for 201-1/2 Hard, and 201-1/2 Hard is harder (340 HB vs 228 HB). 201 Cold Rolled runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 201 Cold Rolled welds better (good vs fair).
201-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
201 Cold RolledChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
201-1/2 Hard vs 201 Cold Rolled: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 197 GPa28.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 150 GPa21.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
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)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16 µm/m·K8.9 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 2.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m27.2 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 55%
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.
201-1/2 Hard vs 201 Cold Rolled — frequently asked
Is 201-1/2 Hard stronger than 201 Cold Rolled?
Yes. 201-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 201 Cold Rolled — about 73% more. Tensile strength is 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or Cold Rolled?
Annealed is the default 201 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor Cold Rolled). 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, 201-1/2 Hard or 201 Cold Rolled?
201 Cold Rolled, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for 201-1/2 Hard; for welding the order is 201 Cold Rolled first (good, 55/100) then 201-1/2 Hard (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 201-1/2 Hard and 201 Cold Rolled 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.