Stainless Steel 348H-1/4 Hard vs 348H Annealed
Stainless Steel · 348H temper comparison
348H-1/4 Hard and 348H Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 348H: 1/4 Hard (quarter hard) versus Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 348H-1/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for 348H Annealed, about 87% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 348H Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 12% for 348H-1/4 Hard, and 348H-1/4 Hard is harder (250 HB vs 160 HB). 348H Annealed runs hotter in service (815°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, 348H Annealed welds better (80 vs 70 out of 100).
348H-1/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
348H AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
348H-1/4 Hard vs 348H 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 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.96 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,425°C2,597 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.3 W/m·K9.4 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 280 J/g120 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.7 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: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 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.
348H-1/4 Hard vs 348H Annealed — frequently asked
Is 348H-1/4 Hard stronger than 348H Annealed?
Yes. 348H-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for 348H Annealed — about 87% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or Annealed?
Annealed is the default 348H condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, 348H-1/4 Hard or 348H Annealed?
348H-1/4 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 44/100 against 38/100 for 348H Annealed; for welding the order is 348H Annealed first (very good, 80/100) then 348H-1/4 Hard (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 348H-1/4 Hard and 348H 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.