Stainless Steel S45503-A vs S45503-H950
Stainless Steel · S45503 temper comparison
S45503-A and S45503-H950 are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S45503: A (solution annealed) versus H950 (aged 4 h at 510 °C (950 °F), air cool). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S45503-H950 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 795 MPa (115 ksi) for S45503-A, about 95% more; tensile strength follows at 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 1,030 MPa (149 ksi). In exchange, S45503-A is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 11% for S45503-H950, and S45503-H950 is harder (455 HB vs 285 HB). S45503-H950 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, S45503-A machines more easily (fair vs poor) and S45503-A welds better (good vs fair).
S45503-AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
S45503-H950Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
S45503-A vs S45503-H950: 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 C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 159 GPa23.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.76 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 17.9 W/m·K10.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.3 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m30.3 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 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: Castability 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 58 MJ/kg24,936 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
S45503-A vs S45503-H950 — frequently asked
Is S45503-H950 stronger than S45503-A?
Yes. S45503-H950 has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 795 MPa (115 ksi) for S45503-A — about 95% more. Tensile strength is 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 1,030 MPa (149 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, A or H950?
H1000 is the default S45503 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor H950). 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, S45503-A or S45503-H950?
S45503-A. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (28/100) for S45503-H950; for welding the order is S45503-A first (good, 65/100) then S45503-H950 (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S45503-A and S45503-H950 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.