Stainless Steel Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard vs Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · Nitronic 32 temper comparison
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard and Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Nitronic 32: 1/4 Hard (quarter hard) versus 3/4 Hard (three-quarter hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) against 690 MPa (100 ksi) for Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard, about 50% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi). In exchange, Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 12% for Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard, and Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard is harder (353 HB vs 290 HB). Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard runs hotter in service (425°C vs 370°C continuous). On the shop floor, Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard welds better (very good vs good).
Nitronic 32-1/4 HardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Nitronic 32-3/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard vs Nitronic 32-3/4 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 32-1/4 HardNitronic 32-3/4 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 32-1/4 Hard vs Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard stronger than Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard?
Yes. Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) against 690 MPa (100 ksi) for Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard — about 50% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or 3/4 Hard?
Annealed is the default Nitronic 32 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4 Hard nor 3/4 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 32-1/4 Hard or Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard?
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 34/100 against 27/100 for Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard; for welding the order is Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard first (very good, 70/100) then Nitronic 32-3/4 Hard (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard and Nitronic 32-3/4 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.