Stainless Steel 440C Annealed vs 440C H&T 54-56 HRC
Stainless Steel · 440C temper comparison
440C Annealed and 440C H&T 54-56 HRC are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 440C: Annealed versus H&T 54-56 HRC (hardened and tempered ~250–350 °C for improved toughness). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 440C H&T 54-56 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for 440C Annealed, about 3.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,860 MPa (270 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 440C Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 3% for 440C H&T 54-56 HRC, and 440C H&T 54-56 HRC is harder (55 HRC vs 24 HRC). 440C Annealed runs hotter in service (425°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 440C Annealed machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).
440C AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
440C H&T 54-56 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design.
440C Annealed vs 440C H&T 54-56 HRC: 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.
440C Annealed440C H&T 54-56 HRC
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
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 0.28 · Compressive Strength 460 MPa66.7 ksi · Shear Strength 460 MPa66.7 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 380 MPa55.1 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 250 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 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 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.2 W/m·K14 BTU/hr·ft·°F · 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 265 J/g114 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Weldability 12 / 100 · Formability (cold) 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
440C Annealed vs 440C H&T 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
Is 440C H&T 54-56 HRC stronger than 440C Annealed?
Yes. 440C H&T 54-56 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for 440C Annealed — about 3.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,860 MPa (270 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or H&T 54-56 HRC?
Annealed is the default 440C 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, 440C Annealed or 440C H&T 54-56 HRC?
440C Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against not recommended (12/100) for 440C H&T 54-56 HRC.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 440C Annealed and 440C H&T 54-56 HRC 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.