Stainless Steel 321H-1/4 Hard vs 321H Annealed
Stainless Steel · 321H temper comparison
321H-1/4 Hard and 321H Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 321H: 1/4 Hard (quarter hard) versus Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 321H-1/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 321H Annealed, about 112% more; tensile strength follows at 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, 321H Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 15% for 321H-1/4 Hard, and 321H-1/4 Hard is harder (250 HB vs 165 HB). 321H Annealed runs hotter in service (900°C vs 400°C continuous).
321H-1/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
321H AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
321H-1/4 Hard vs 321H Annealed: 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
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 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,398°C2,548 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,427°C2,601 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.1 W/m·K9.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.6 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.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % 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 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 56 MJ/kg24,076 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 160 L/kg19.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 55%
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.
321H-1/4 Hard vs 321H Annealed — frequently asked
Is 321H-1/4 Hard stronger than 321H Annealed?
Yes. 321H-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 321H Annealed — about 112% more. Tensile strength is 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 321H condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4 Hard nor Annealed). 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, 321H-1/4 Hard or 321H Annealed?
321H-1/4 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 321H Annealed; for welding the order is 321H Annealed first (very good, 82/100) then 321H-1/4 Hard (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 321H-1/4 Hard and 321H Annealed 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.