Stainless Steel 317L-1/2 Hard vs 317L-1/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 317L temper comparison
317L-1/2 Hard and 317L-1/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 317L: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus 1/4 Hard (quarter hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 317L-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) for 317L-1/4 Hard, about 48% more; tensile strength follows at 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) vs 860 MPa (125 ksi). In exchange, 317L-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 10% for 317L-1/2 Hard, and 317L-1/2 Hard is harder (300 HB vs 250 HB).
317L-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
317L-1/4 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
317L-1/2 Hard vs 317L-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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
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 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.98 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,375°C2,507 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.2 W/m·K8.2 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) 425°C797 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.1 µΩ·in
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: Castability 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 140 L/kg16.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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.
317L-1/2 Hard vs 317L-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 317L-1/2 Hard stronger than 317L-1/4 Hard?
Yes. 317L-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) against 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) for 317L-1/4 Hard — about 48% more. Tensile strength is 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) vs 860 MPa (125 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or 1/4 Hard?
Solution Annealed is the default 317L 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, 317L-1/2 Hard or 317L-1/4 Hard?
317L-1/4 Hard. Its machinability rates fair (36/100) against poor (30/100) for 317L-1/2 Hard; for welding the order is 317L-1/4 Hard first (very good, 80/100) then 317L-1/2 Hard (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 317L-1/2 Hard and 317L-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.