Stainless Steel 202-3/4 Hard vs 202 Cold Rolled
Stainless Steel · 202 temper comparison
202-3/4 Hard and 202 Cold Rolled are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 202: 3/4 Hard (three-quarter hard) versus Cold Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 202-3/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 960 MPa (139 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 202 Cold Rolled, about 129% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi). In exchange, 202 Cold Rolled is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 10% for 202-3/4 Hard, and 202-3/4 Hard is harder (345 HB vs 215 HB). 202 Cold Rolled runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 202 Cold Rolled welds better (good vs fair).
202-3/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
202 Cold RolledChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
202-3/4 Hard vs 202 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
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 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
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) 17.5 µm/m·K9.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 285 J/g123 BTU/lb · 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).
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: Castability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 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.
202-3/4 Hard vs 202 Cold Rolled — frequently asked
Is 202-3/4 Hard stronger than 202 Cold Rolled?
Yes. 202-3/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for 202 Cold Rolled — about 129% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 3/4 Hard or Cold Rolled?
Annealed is the default 202 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 3/4 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, 202-3/4 Hard or 202 Cold Rolled?
202 Cold Rolled. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (32/100) for 202-3/4 Hard; for welding the order is 202 Cold Rolled first (good, 65/100) then 202-3/4 Hard (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 202-3/4 Hard and 202 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.