Stainless Steel 440F Annealed vs 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC
Stainless Steel · 440F temper comparison
440F Annealed and 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 440F: Annealed versus Q&T 48-52 HRC (hardened and tempered ~300–370 °C for higher toughness). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,480 MPa (215 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 440F Annealed, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 440F Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 5% for 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC, and 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC is harder (520 HV vs 265 HV). 440F Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous).
440F AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
440F Q&T 48-52 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design.
440F Annealed vs 440F Q&T 48-52 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.
440F Annealed440F Q&T 48-52 HRC
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
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 · Reduction in Area 25% · Compressive Strength 430 MPa62.4 ksi · Shear Strength 470 MPa68.2 ksi · Hardness, Brinell 255 HB · 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)
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
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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Weldability 12 / 100 · Formability (cold) 20 / 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.
440F Annealed vs 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC — frequently asked
Is 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC stronger than 440F Annealed?
Yes. 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,480 MPa (215 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for 440F Annealed — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Q&T 48-52 HRC?
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.
When should I choose 440F Annealed over 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC?
Pick 440F Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat. Pick 440F Q&T 48-52 HRC when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 440F Annealed and 440F Q&T 48-52 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.