Stainless Steel 316LVM-1/2 Hard vs 316LVM-1/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 316LVM temper comparison
316LVM-1/2 Hard and 316LVM-1/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 316LVM: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus 1/4 Hard (quarter hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 316LVM-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for 316LVM-1/4 Hard, about 60% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 316LVM-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 14% for 316LVM-1/2 Hard, and 316LVM-1/2 Hard is harder (300 HB vs 245 HB). On the shop floor, 316LVM-1/4 Hard welds better (very good vs good).
316LVM-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
316LVM-1/4 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
316LVM-1/2 Hard vs 316LVM-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.
316LVM-1/2 Hard316LVM-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 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.95 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,390°C2,534 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16 µm/m·K8.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.3 % 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)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 95 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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.
316LVM-1/2 Hard vs 316LVM-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 316LVM-1/2 Hard stronger than 316LVM-1/4 Hard?
Yes. 316LVM-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for 316LVM-1/4 Hard — about 60% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or 1/4 Hard?
Annealed is the default 316LVM condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor 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.
Which is easier to machine, 316LVM-1/2 Hard or 316LVM-1/4 Hard?
316LVM-1/2 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 316LVM-1/4 Hard; for welding the order is 316LVM-1/4 Hard first (very good, 75/100) then 316LVM-1/2 Hard (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316LVM-1/2 Hard and 316LVM-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.