Stainless Steel 317LN-1/4 Hard vs 317LN Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 317LN temper comparison
317LN-1/4 Hard and 317LN Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 317LN: 1/4 Hard (quarter hard) versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 317LN-1/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for 317LN Cold Drawn, about 24% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi). In exchange, 317LN Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 20% for 317LN-1/4 Hard, and 317LN-1/4 Hard is harder (250 HB vs 220 HB). 317LN Cold Drawn runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous).
317LN-1/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
317LN Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
317LN-1/4 Hard vs 317LN Cold Drawn: 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.
317LN-1/4 Hard317LN Cold Drawn
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 200 GPa29 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 7.98 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.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 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 · 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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V · Corrosion Resistance 76 / 100
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 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%
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.
317LN-1/4 Hard vs 317LN Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 317LN-1/4 Hard stronger than 317LN Cold Drawn?
Yes. 317LN-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) for 317LN Cold Drawn — about 24% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 720 MPa (104 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 317LN condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4 Hard nor Cold Drawn). 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, 317LN-1/4 Hard or 317LN Cold Drawn?
317LN Cold Drawn. Its weldability rates very good (82/100) against very good (75/100) for 317LN-1/4 Hard.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 317LN-1/4 Hard and 317LN Cold Drawn 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.