Stainless Steel 434-1/2 Hard vs 434 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 434 temper comparison
434-1/2 Hard and 434 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 434: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 434-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for 434 Cold Drawn, about 22% more; tensile strength follows at 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 434 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 8% for 434-1/2 Hard, and 434-1/2 Hard is harder (225 HB vs 200 HB).
434-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
434 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
434-1/2 Hard vs 434 Cold Drawn: 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)
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 0.29
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.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 25 W/m·K14.4 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 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 760°C1,400 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m26.4 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V · Corrosion Resistance 52 / 100
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) 50 MJ/kg21,496 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%
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.
434-1/2 Hard vs 434 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 434-1/2 Hard stronger than 434 Cold Drawn?
Yes. 434-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for 434 Cold Drawn — about 22% more. Tensile strength is 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 434 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor Cold Drawn). 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, 434-1/2 Hard or 434 Cold Drawn?
434 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates good (60/100) against fair (52/100) for 434-1/2 Hard; for welding the order is 434 Cold Drawn first (fair, 50/100) then 434-1/2 Hard (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 434-1/2 Hard and 434 Cold Drawn 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.