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Stainless Steel Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard vs Nitronic 32 Full Hard

Stainless Steel · Nitronic 32 temper comparison

Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard and Nitronic 32 Full Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Nitronic 32: 1/4 Hard (quarter 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 690 MPa (100 ksi) for Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard, about 75% more; tensile strength follows at 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi). In exchange, Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for Nitronic 32 Full Hard, and Nitronic 32 Full Hard is harder (390 HB vs 290 HB). Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard runs hotter in service (425°C vs 315°C continuous). On the shop floor, Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard machines more easily (34 vs 22 out of 100) and 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 Full HardChoose it when strength drives the design.

Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard vs Nitronic 32 Full Hard: properties

Nitronic 32-1/4 HardNitronic 32 Full Hard

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

965 MPa140 ksi
1,380 MPa200 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

690 MPa100 ksi
1,210 MPa175 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
8%

Reduction in Area

48%
25%

Shear Strength

600 MPa87 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

405 MPa58.7 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

95 J70.1 ft·lbf
35 J25.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

290 HB
390 HB

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)

425°C797 °F
315°C599 °F

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

54 / 100
52 / 100

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

34 / 100
22 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

38%
25%

Weldability

70 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

45 / 100
15 / 100

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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleNitronic 32

Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard vs Nitronic 32 Full Hard — frequently asked

Is Nitronic 32 Full Hard stronger than Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard?

Yes. Nitronic 32 Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,210 MPa (175 ksi) against 690 MPa (100 ksi) for Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard — about 75% more. Tensile strength is 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi).

Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4 Hard or Full Hard?

Annealed is the default Nitronic 32 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4 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 32-1/4 Hard or Nitronic 32 Full Hard?

Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 34/100 against 22/100 for Nitronic 32 Full Hard; for welding the order is Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard first (very good, 70/100) then Nitronic 32 Full Hard (good, 55/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Nitronic 32-1/4 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.