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Stainless Steel 440F Annealed vs 440F Hardened & Tempered

Stainless Steel · 440F temper comparison

440F Annealed and 440F Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 440F: Annealed versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 440F Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 440F Annealed, about 4.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,860 MPa (270 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 440F Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 3% for 440F Hardened & Tempered, and 440F Hardened & Tempered is harder (580 HB vs 255 HB). 440F Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, 440F Annealed machines more easily (good vs not recommended).

440F AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

440F Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.

440F Annealed vs 440F Hardened & Tempered: properties

440F Annealed440F Hardened & Tempered

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

760 MPa110 ksi
1,860 MPa270 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
1,720 MPa249 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
3%

Reduction in Area

25%
6%

Compressive Strength

430 MPa62.4 ksi
1,900 MPa276 ksi

Shear Strength

470 MPa68.2 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

370 MPa53.7 ksi
750 MPa109 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

20 J14.8 ft·lbf
6 J4.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
580 HB

Hardness, Vickers

265 HV
620 HV

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 · Hardness, Rockwell B 96 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,370°C2,498 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,425°C2,597 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
250°C482 °F

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 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °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

32 / 100
42 / 100

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

55 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
10%

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
2 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 12 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%

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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale440F

440F Annealed vs 440F Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked

Is 440F Hardened & Tempered stronger than 440F Annealed?

Yes. 440F Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 440F Annealed — about 4.1 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 Hardened & Tempered?

Annealed is the default 440F 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, 440F Annealed or 440F Hardened & Tempered?

440F Annealed. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against not recommended (12/100) for 440F Hardened & Tempered.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 440F Annealed and 440F 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.