Stainless Steel 301 Annealed vs 301 Quarter Hard
Stainless Steel · 301 temper comparison
301 Annealed and 301 Quarter Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 301: Annealed versus Quarter Hard. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 301 Quarter Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for 301 Annealed, about 121% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 301 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 28% for 301 Quarter Hard, and 301 Quarter Hard is harder (285 HB vs 165 HB). 301 Annealed runs hotter in service (760°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, 301 Annealed welds better (very good vs good).
301 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
301 Quarter HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
301 Annealed vs 301 Quarter Hard: 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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.88 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,395°C2,543 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,420°C2,588 °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) 16.9 µm/m·K9.4 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 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 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: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
301 Annealed vs 301 Quarter Hard — frequently asked
Is 301 Quarter Hard stronger than 301 Annealed?
Yes. 301 Quarter Hard has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for 301 Annealed — about 121% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Quarter Hard?
Cold Rolled is the default 301 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed nor Quarter 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, 301 Annealed or 301 Quarter Hard?
301 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (32/100) for 301 Quarter Hard; for welding the order is 301 Annealed first (very good, 70/100) then 301 Quarter Hard (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 301 Annealed and 301 Quarter 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.