Stainless Steel 303 Annealed vs 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 303 temper comparison
303 Annealed and 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 303: Annealed versus Cold Worked 1/4 Hard (1/4 Hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 303 Annealed, about 138% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 303 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 15% for 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard, and 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard is harder (285 HB vs 165 HB). 303 Annealed runs hotter in service (760°C vs 300°C continuous).
303 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
303 Cold Worked 1/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
303 Annealed vs 303 Cold Worked 1/4 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.
303 Annealed303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard
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 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °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) 17.3 µm/m·K9.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 275 J/g118 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °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 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
303 Annealed vs 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard stronger than 303 Annealed?
Yes. 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 303 Annealed — about 138% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Worked 1/4 Hard?
Cold Drawn is the default 303 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed nor Cold Worked 1/4 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.
When should I choose 303 Annealed over 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard?
Pick 303 Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat. Pick 303 Cold Worked 1/4 Hard when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 303 Annealed and 303 Cold Worked 1/4 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.