Stainless Steel Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard vs Nitronic 32 Full Hard
Stainless Steel · Nitronic 32 temper comparison
Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard and Nitronic 32 Full Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Nitronic 32: 1/2 Hard (half hard) versus Full Hard. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Nitronic 32 Full Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,210 MPa (175 ksi) against 860 MPa (125 ksi) for Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard, about 41% more; tensile strength follows at 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) vs 1,105 MPa (160 ksi). In exchange, Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 8% for Nitronic 32 Full Hard, and Nitronic 32 Full Hard is harder (390 HB vs 320 HB). Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard runs hotter in service (400°C vs 315°C continuous). On the shop floor, Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard welds better (65 vs 55 out of 100).
Nitronic 32-1/2 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Nitronic 32 Full HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard vs Nitronic 32 Full Hard: 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.
Nitronic 32-1/2 HardNitronic 32 Full Hard
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
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
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 197 GPa28.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 96 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.9 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: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 70%
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.
Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard vs Nitronic 32 Full Hard — frequently asked
Is Nitronic 32 Full Hard stronger than Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard?
Yes. Nitronic 32 Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,210 MPa (175 ksi) against 860 MPa (125 ksi) for Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard — about 41% more. Tensile strength is 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) vs 1,105 MPa (160 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/2 Hard or Full Hard?
Annealed is the default Nitronic 32 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/2 Hard nor Full Hard). 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, Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard or Nitronic 32 Full Hard?
Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 31/100 against 22/100 for Nitronic 32 Full Hard; for welding the order is Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard first (good, 65/100) then Nitronic 32 Full Hard (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nitronic 32-1/2 Hard and Nitronic 32 Full Hard 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.