Stainless Steel S41003 Hardened vs S41003 Q&T 600
Stainless Steel · S41003 temper comparison
S41003 Hardened and S41003 Q&T 600 are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S41003: Hardened versus Q&T 600 (Q&T). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S41003 Hardened is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for S41003 Q&T 600, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, S41003 Q&T 600 is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 12% for S41003 Hardened, and S41003 Hardened is harder (310 HB vs 230 HB). S41003 Q&T 600 runs hotter in service (600°C vs 425°C continuous). On the shop floor, S41003 Q&T 600 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and S41003 Q&T 600 welds better (good vs fair).
S41003 HardenedChoose it when strength drives the design.
S41003 Q&T 600Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
S41003 Hardened vs S41003 Q&T 600: 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
Compressive Strength
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 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,450°C2,642 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.4 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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) -0.3 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 50 / 100 · Polishability 50 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 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.
S41003 Hardened vs S41003 Q&T 600 — frequently asked
Is S41003 Hardened stronger than S41003 Q&T 600?
Yes. S41003 Hardened has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for S41003 Q&T 600 — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Hardened or Q&T 600?
Annealed is the default S41003 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Hardened nor Q&T 600). 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, S41003 Hardened or S41003 Q&T 600?
S41003 Q&T 600. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (30/100) for S41003 Hardened; for welding the order is S41003 Q&T 600 first (good, 65/100) then S41003 Hardened (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S41003 Hardened and S41003 Q&T 600 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.