Stainless Steel F6b-ANN vs F6b QT-HS
Stainless Steel · F6b temper comparison
F6b-ANN and F6b QT-HS are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, F6b: ANN (annealed) versus QT-HS (Q&T high-strength). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. F6b QT-HS is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for F6b-ANN, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi). In exchange, F6b-ANN is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 16% for F6b QT-HS, and F6b QT-HS is harder (300 HB vs 175 HB). On the shop floor, F6b-ANN machines more easily (50 vs 35 out of 100).
F6b-ANNChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
F6b QT-HSChoose it when strength drives the design.
F6b-ANN vs F6b QT-HS: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
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 660 MPa95.7 ksi · Shear Strength 490 MPa71.1 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in · Hardness, Vickers 280 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,480°C2,696 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,530°C2,786 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 9.9 µm/m·K5.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 480°C896 °F · Min Service Temperature -29°C-20 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22.4 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.32 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 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.
F6b-ANN vs F6b QT-HS — frequently asked
Is F6b QT-HS stronger than F6b-ANN?
Yes. F6b QT-HS has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for F6b-ANN — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 540 MPa (78.3 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, ANN or QT-HS?
QT is the default F6b condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither ANN nor QT-HS). 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, F6b-ANN or F6b QT-HS?
F6b-ANN, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 35/100 for F6b QT-HS.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in F6b-ANN and F6b QT-HS 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.