Stainless Steel S20431 1/4H vs S20431-FH
Stainless Steel · S20431 temper comparison
S20431 1/4H and S20431-FH are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S20431: 1/4H (quarter hard) versus FH (full hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S20431-FH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,130 MPa (164 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S20431 1/4H, about 82% more; tensile strength follows at 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi). In exchange, S20431 1/4H is the more ductile: elongation 27% versus 9% for S20431-FH, and S20431-FH is harder (380 HB vs 250 HB). On the shop floor, S20431 1/4H welds better (good vs fair).
S20431 1/4HChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
S20431-FHChoose it when strength drives the design.
S20431 1/4H vs S20431-FH: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
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
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 16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.7 µm/m·K8.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 95 L/kg11.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 55%
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.
S20431 1/4H vs S20431-FH — frequently asked
Is S20431-FH stronger than S20431 1/4H?
Yes. S20431-FH has a typical yield strength of 1,130 MPa (164 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S20431 1/4H — about 82% more. Tensile strength is 1,380 MPa (200 ksi) vs 930 MPa (135 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, 1/4H or FH?
Annealed is the default S20431 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither 1/4H nor FH). 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 welds better, S20431 1/4H or S20431-FH?
S20431 1/4H. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for S20431-FH.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S20431 1/4H and S20431-FH 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.