Stainless Steel 304-1/4 Hard vs 304-3/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 304 temper comparison
304-1/4 Hard and 304-3/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 304: 1/4 Hard (quarter hard) versus 3/4 Hard (three-quarter hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 304-3/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for 304-1/4 Hard, about 61% more; tensile strength follows at 1,270 MPa (184 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, 304-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 6% for 304-3/4 Hard, and 304-3/4 Hard is harder (345 HB vs 265 HB). 304-1/4 Hard runs hotter in service (350°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 304-1/4 Hard welds better (very good vs good).
304-1/4 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
304-3/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
304-1/4 Hard vs 304-3/4 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
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: Bulk Modulus 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Same in both: 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) 17.3 µm/m·K9.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 285 J/g123 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 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: Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 70%
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.
304-1/4 Hard vs 304-3/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 304-3/4 Hard stronger than 304-1/4 Hard?
Yes. 304-3/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for 304-1/4 Hard — about 61% more. Tensile strength is 1,270 MPa (184 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or 3/4 Hard?
Annealed is the default 304 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4 Hard nor 3/4 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.
Which is easier to machine, 304-1/4 Hard or 304-3/4 Hard?
304-1/4 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 48/100 against 42/100 for 304-3/4 Hard; for welding the order is 304-1/4 Hard first (very good, 75/100) then 304-3/4 Hard (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304-1/4 Hard and 304-3/4 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.