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Stainless Steel 420J1 Annealed vs 420J1 Hardened & Tempered

Stainless Steel · 420J1 temper comparison

420J1 Annealed and 420J1 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 420J1: Annealed versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 420J1 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) for 420J1 Annealed, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, 420J1 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 8% for 420J1 Hardened & Tempered, and 420J1 Hardened & Tempered is harder (470 HB vs 195 HB). 420J1 Annealed runs hotter in service (600°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, 420J1 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 420J1 Annealed welds better (fair vs poor).

420J1 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

420J1 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.

420J1 Annealed vs 420J1 Hardened & Tempered: properties

420J1 Annealed420J1 Hardened & Tempered

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

700 MPa102 ksi
1,600 MPa232 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

440 MPa63.8 ksi
1,350 MPa196 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
8%

Reduction in Area

55%
20%

Shear Strength

430 MPa62.4 ksi
960 MPa139 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

340 MPa49.3 ksi
700 MPa102 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
15 J11.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

195 HB
470 HB

Hardness, Vickers

205 HV
500 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 92 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,450°C2,642 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

40 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

48 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
20%

Weldability

35 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
5 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
88 / 100

Same in both: Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 100 L/kg12 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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale420J1

420J1 Annealed vs 420J1 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked

Is 420J1 Hardened & Tempered stronger than 420J1 Annealed?

Yes. 420J1 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) for 420J1 Annealed — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).

Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Hardened & Tempered?

Annealed is the default 420J1 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, 420J1 Annealed or 420J1 Hardened & Tempered?

420J1 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (48/100) against poor (22/100) for 420J1 Hardened & Tempered; for welding the order is 420J1 Annealed first (fair, 35/100) then 420J1 Hardened & Tempered (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 420J1 Annealed and 420J1 Hardened & Tempered 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.