Stainless Steel A286 Age Hardened vs A286 Annealed
Stainless Steel · A286 temper comparison
A286 Age Hardened and A286 Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, A286: Age Hardened (solution treated + 720 °C / 16 h aged) versus Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. A286 Age Hardened is the stronger of the two: yield strength 725 MPa (105 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for A286 Annealed, about 179% more; tensile strength follows at 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, A286 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 22% for A286 Age Hardened, and A286 Age Hardened is harder (300 HB vs 155 HB). A286 Age Hardened runs hotter in service (700°C vs 600°C continuous).
A286 Age HardenedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
A286 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
A286 Age Hardened vs A286 Annealed: 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.
A286 Age HardenedA286 Annealed
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Bulk Modulus
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
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 201 GPa29.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.31
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.92 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,370°C2,498 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 285 J/g123 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -253°C-423 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 9.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.8 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
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: Castability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb
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.
A286 Age Hardened vs A286 Annealed — frequently asked
Is A286 Age Hardened stronger than A286 Annealed?
Yes. A286 Age Hardened has a typical yield strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for A286 Annealed — about 179% more. Tensile strength is 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Age Hardened or Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default A286 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Age Hardened nor Annealed). 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, A286 Age Hardened or A286 Annealed?
A286 Annealed, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for A286 Age Hardened; for welding the order is A286 Annealed first (good, 55/100) then A286 Age Hardened (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A286 Age Hardened and A286 Annealed 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.