Stainless Steel 254 SMO CR 1/4H vs 254 SMO Solution Annealed
Stainless Steel · 254 SMO temper comparison
254 SMO CR 1/4H and 254 SMO Solution Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 254 SMO: CR 1/4H (cold Rolled 1/4 Hard) versus Solution Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 254 SMO CR 1/4H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for 254 SMO Solution Annealed, about 71% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, 254 SMO Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for 254 SMO CR 1/4H, and 254 SMO CR 1/4H is harder (265 HB vs 190 HB). 254 SMO Solution Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous).
254 SMO CR 1/4HChoose it when strength drives the design.
254 SMO Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
254 SMO CR 1/4H vs 254 SMO Solution Annealed: 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.
254 SMO CR 1/4H254 SMO Solution Annealed
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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 75 GPa10.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 162 GPa23.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,325°C2,417 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,390°C2,534 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m33.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
254 SMO CR 1/4H vs 254 SMO Solution Annealed — frequently asked
Is 254 SMO CR 1/4H stronger than 254 SMO Solution Annealed?
Yes. 254 SMO CR 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for 254 SMO Solution Annealed — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CR 1/4H or Solution Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 254 SMO condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, 254 SMO CR 1/4H or 254 SMO Solution Annealed?
254 SMO Solution Annealed, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for 254 SMO CR 1/4H; for welding the order is 254 SMO Solution Annealed first (very good, 75/100) then 254 SMO CR 1/4H (good, 68/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 254 SMO CR 1/4H and 254 SMO Solution Annealed 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.