Stainless Steel 304L-1/2 Hard vs 304L Cold Rolled
Stainless Steel · 304L temper comparison
304L-1/2 Hard and 304L Cold Rolled are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 304L: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus Cold Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 304L-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 304L Cold Rolled, about 111% more; tensile strength follows at 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) vs 660 MPa (95.7 ksi). In exchange, 304L Cold Rolled is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for 304L-1/2 Hard, and 304L-1/2 Hard is harder (310 HB vs 185 HB). 304L Cold Rolled runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 304L Cold Rolled welds better (excellent vs very good).
304L-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
304L Cold RolledChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
304L-1/2 Hard vs 304L Cold Rolled: 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.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · 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.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°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.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
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.
304L-1/2 Hard vs 304L Cold Rolled — frequently asked
Is 304L-1/2 Hard stronger than 304L Cold Rolled?
Yes. 304L-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for 304L Cold Rolled — about 111% more. Tensile strength is 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) vs 660 MPa (95.7 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or Cold Rolled?
Annealed is the default 304L condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor Cold Rolled). 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, 304L-1/2 Hard or 304L Cold Rolled?
304L-1/2 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 304L Cold Rolled; for welding the order is 304L Cold Rolled first (excellent, 90/100) then 304L-1/2 Hard (very good, 80/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304L-1/2 Hard and 304L Cold Rolled 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.