Stainless Steel 317LM-1/2 Hard vs 317LM-1/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 317LM temper comparison
317LM-1/2 Hard and 317LM-1/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 317LM: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus 1/4 Hard (quarter hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 317LM-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 317LM-1/4 Hard, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, 317LM-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for 317LM-1/2 Hard, and 317LM-1/2 Hard is harder (300 HB vs 250 HB). 317LM-1/4 Hard runs hotter in service (800°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 317LM-1/4 Hard welds better (excellent vs very good).
317LM-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
317LM-1/4 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
317LM-1/2 Hard vs 317LM-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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
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, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Hardness, Rockwell B 82 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 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.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
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) 16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 285 J/g123 BTU/lb · 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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 40% · Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 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.
317LM-1/2 Hard vs 317LM-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 317LM-1/2 Hard stronger than 317LM-1/4 Hard?
Yes. 317LM-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for 317LM-1/4 Hard — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or 1/4 Hard?
Annealed is the default 317LM 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 welds better, 317LM-1/2 Hard or 317LM-1/4 Hard?
317LM-1/4 Hard. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (70/100) for 317LM-1/2 Hard.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 317LM-1/2 Hard and 317LM-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.