Stainless Steel 430-1/2 Hard vs 430-1/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 430 temper comparison
430-1/2 Hard and 430-1/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 430: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus 1/4 Hard (quarter hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 430-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 430-1/4 Hard, about 26% more; tensile strength follows at 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 430-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 6% for 430-1/2 Hard, and 430-1/2 Hard is harder (240 HB vs 200 HB).
430-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
430-1/4 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
430-1/2 Hard vs 430-1/4 Hard: 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
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 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 26 W/m·K15 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.4 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.9 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 70%
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.
430-1/2 Hard vs 430-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 430-1/2 Hard stronger than 430-1/4 Hard?
Yes. 430-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 430-1/4 Hard — about 26% more. Tensile strength is 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or 1/4 Hard?
Annealed is the default 430 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor 1/4 Hard). 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, 430-1/2 Hard or 430-1/4 Hard?
430-1/4 Hard. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for 430-1/2 Hard.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 430-1/2 Hard and 430-1/4 Hard 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.