Stainless Steel 304Cu-1/4 Hard vs 304Cu Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 304Cu temper comparison
304Cu-1/4 Hard and 304Cu Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 304Cu: 1/4 Hard (quarter hard) versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 304Cu-1/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for 304Cu Cold Drawn, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, 304Cu Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 12% for 304Cu-1/4 Hard, and 304Cu-1/4 Hard is harder (250 HB vs 210 HB). 304Cu Cold Drawn runs hotter in service (750°C vs 300°C continuous).
304Cu-1/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
304Cu Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
304Cu-1/4 Hard vs 304Cu Cold Drawn: 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.
304Cu-1/4 Hard304Cu Cold Drawn
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
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 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 55%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.93 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °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 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS
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.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability 50 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 55% · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100 · Polishability 82 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 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.
304Cu-1/4 Hard vs 304Cu Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 304Cu-1/4 Hard stronger than 304Cu Cold Drawn?
Yes. 304Cu-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for 304Cu Cold Drawn — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 304Cu condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4 Hard nor Cold Drawn). 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 welds better, 304Cu-1/4 Hard or 304Cu Cold Drawn?
304Cu Cold Drawn. Its weldability rates very good (72/100) against good (65/100) for 304Cu-1/4 Hard.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304Cu-1/4 Hard and 304Cu Cold Drawn 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.