Stainless Steel 436-1/2 Hard vs 436 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 436 temper comparison
436-1/2 Hard and 436 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 436: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 436-1/2 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for 436 Cold Drawn, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi). In exchange, 436 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 8% for 436-1/2 Hard, and 436-1/2 Hard is harder (240 HB vs 210 HB). 436 Cold Drawn runs hotter in service (425°C vs 315°C continuous). On the shop floor, 436 Cold Drawn machines more easily (good vs fair).
436-1/2 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
436 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
436-1/2 Hard vs 436 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 0.28
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 23.9 W/m·K13.8 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 · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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) 48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 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.
436-1/2 Hard vs 436 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 436-1/2 Hard stronger than 436 Cold Drawn?
Yes. 436-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for 436 Cold Drawn — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 436 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, 436-1/2 Hard or 436 Cold Drawn?
436 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (52/100) for 436-1/2 Hard.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 436-1/2 Hard and 436 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.