Stainless Steel 317LM-1/2 Hard vs 317LM As Welded
Stainless Steel · 317LM temper comparison
317LM-1/2 Hard and 317LM As Welded are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 317LM: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus As Welded (as-welded deposit). 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 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for 317LM As Welded, about 129% more; tensile strength follows at 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, 317LM As Welded is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 14% for 317LM-1/2 Hard, and 317LM-1/2 Hard is harder (300 HB vs 180 HB). 317LM As Welded runs hotter in service (800°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 317LM As Welded welds better (excellent vs very good).
317LM-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
317LM As WeldedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
317LM-1/2 Hard vs 317LM As Welded: 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, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: 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 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: 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 As Welded — frequently asked
Is 317LM-1/2 Hard stronger than 317LM As Welded?
Yes. 317LM-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for 317LM As Welded — about 129% more. Tensile strength is 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or As Welded?
Annealed is the default 317LM condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor As Welded). 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, 317LM-1/2 Hard or 317LM As Welded?
317LM-1/2 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 42/100 against 35/100 for 317LM As Welded; for welding the order is 317LM As Welded first (excellent, 85/100) then 317LM-1/2 Hard (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 317LM-1/2 Hard and 317LM As Welded 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.