Steel H11 Nitrided vs H11 Stress Relieved
Steel · H11 temper comparison
H11 Nitrided and H11 Stress Relieved are two conditions of the same steel grade, H11: Nitrided versus Stress Relieved. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. H11 Nitrided is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for H11 Stress Relieved, about 145% more; tensile strength follows at 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) vs 820 MPa (119 ksi). In exchange, H11 Stress Relieved is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 8% for H11 Nitrided, and H11 Nitrided is harder (435 HB vs 210 HB). On the shop floor, H11 Stress Relieved machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and H11 Stress Relieved welds better (fair vs not recommended).
H11 NitridedChoose it when strength drives the design.
H11 Stress RelievedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
H11 Nitrided vs H11 Stress Relieved: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all 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 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.
H11 NitridedH11 Stress Relieved
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
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 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) 1,427°C2,601 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,470°C2,678 °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) 11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m20.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 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 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
H11 Nitrided vs H11 Stress Relieved — frequently asked
Is H11 Nitrided stronger than H11 Stress Relieved?
Yes. H11 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for H11 Stress Relieved — about 145% more. Tensile strength is 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) vs 820 MPa (119 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Nitrided or Stress Relieved?
Annealed is the default H11 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Nitrided nor Stress Relieved). 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, H11 Nitrided or H11 Stress Relieved?
H11 Stress Relieved. Its machinability rates fair (53/100) against not recommended (8/100) for H11 Nitrided; for welding the order is H11 Stress Relieved first (fair, 38/100) then H11 Nitrided (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in H11 Nitrided and H11 Stress Relieved 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.