Stainless Steel 384 1/4H vs 384-FH
Stainless Steel · 384 temper comparison
384 1/4H and 384-FH are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 384: 1/4H (quarter hard) versus FH (full hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 384-FH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 930 MPa (135 ksi) against 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) for 384 1/4H, about 81% more; tensile strength follows at 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 384 1/4H is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for 384-FH, and 384-FH is harder (320 HB vs 215 HB). 384 1/4H runs hotter in service (340°C vs 290°C continuous).
384 1/4HChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
384-FHChoose it when strength drives the design.
384 1/4H vs 384-FH: 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 145 GPa21 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 1,449°C2,640 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.2 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) 16.5 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.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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 78 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.8 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.
384 1/4H vs 384-FH — frequently asked
Is 384-FH stronger than 384 1/4H?
Yes. 384-FH has a typical yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) against 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) for 384 1/4H — about 81% more. Tensile strength is 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4H or FH?
Annealed is the default 384 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4H nor FH). 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, 384 1/4H or 384-FH?
384 1/4H, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 44/100 against 36/100 for 384-FH; for welding the order is 384 1/4H first (good, 58/100) then 384-FH (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 384 1/4H and 384-FH 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.