Stainless Steel 201L 1/4H vs 201L-FH
Stainless Steel · 201L temper comparison
201L 1/4H and 201L-FH are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 201L: 1/4H (quarter hard) versus FH (full hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 201L-FH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) against 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) for 201L 1/4H, about 79% more; tensile strength follows at 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, 201L 1/4H is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for 201L-FH, and 201L-FH is harder (405 HV vs 275 HV). On the shop floor, 201L 1/4H welds better (good vs fair).
201L 1/4HChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
201L-FHChoose it when strength drives the design.
201L 1/4H vs 201L-FH: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 197 GPa28.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 60% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 120 J88.5 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 185 HB · 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.
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) 15.7 µm/m·K8.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V · Corrosion Resistance 55 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability 38 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100 · Polishability 78 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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.
201L 1/4H vs 201L-FH — frequently asked
Is 201L-FH stronger than 201L 1/4H?
Yes. 201L-FH has a typical yield strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) against 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) for 201L 1/4H — about 79% more. Tensile strength is 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4H or FH?
Annealed is the default 201L condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4H nor FH). 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 welds better, 201L 1/4H or 201L-FH?
201L 1/4H. Its weldability rates good (62/100) against fair (50/100) for 201L-FH.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 201L 1/4H and 201L-FH 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.