Stainless Steel 440A Hardened vs 440A Hardened & Tempered
Stainless Steel · 440A temper comparison
440A Hardened and 440A Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 440A: Hardened versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 440A Hardened is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) for 440A Hardened & Tempered, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 1,790 MPa (260 ksi). In exchange, 440A Hardened & Tempered is the more ductile: elongation 5% versus 1% for 440A Hardened, and 440A Hardened is harder (600 HB vs 500 HB). 440A Hardened & Tempered runs hotter in service (300°C vs 150°C continuous).
440A HardenedChoose it when strength drives the design.
440A Hardened & TemperedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
440A Hardened vs 440A Hardened & Tempered: 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.
440A Hardened440A Hardened & Tempered
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, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 150 GPa21.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Hardness, Rockwell B 92 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.68 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,370°C2,498 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.2 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V · Corrosion Resistance 55 / 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 40 / 100 · Polishability 78 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
440A Hardened vs 440A Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is 440A Hardened stronger than 440A Hardened & Tempered?
Yes. 440A Hardened has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) for 440A Hardened & Tempered — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 1,790 MPa (260 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Hardened or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default 440A condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Hardened nor Hardened & Tempered). 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, 440A Hardened or 440A Hardened & Tempered?
440A Hardened & Tempered, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 5/100 for 440A Hardened; for welding the order is 440A Hardened & Tempered first (not recommended, 10/100) then 440A Hardened (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 440A Hardened and 440A 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.