Steel H13 Nitrided vs H13 Stress Relieved
Steel · H13 temper comparison
H13 Nitrided and H13 Stress Relieved are two conditions of the same steel grade, H13: Nitrided versus Stress Relieved. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. H13 Nitrided is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for H13 Stress Relieved, about 175% more; tensile strength follows at 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi). In exchange, H13 Stress Relieved is the more ductile: elongation 24% versus 8% for H13 Nitrided, and H13 Nitrided is harder (450 HB vs 210 HB). On the shop floor, H13 Stress Relieved machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and H13 Stress Relieved welds better (fair vs not recommended).
H13 NitridedChoose it when strength drives the design.
H13 Stress RelievedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
H13 Nitrided vs H13 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.
H13 NitridedH13 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
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 0.3 · Hardness, Rockwell B 95 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.9 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 540°C1,004 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °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) -0.58 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 30 / 100 · Polishability 78 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 75 L/kg9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
H13 Nitrided vs H13 Stress Relieved — frequently asked
Is H13 Nitrided stronger than H13 Stress Relieved?
Yes. H13 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,400 MPa (203 ksi) against 510 MPa (74 ksi) for H13 Stress Relieved — about 175% more. Tensile strength is 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Nitrided or Stress Relieved?
Annealed is the default H13 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, H13 Nitrided or H13 Stress Relieved?
H13 Stress Relieved. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against not recommended (5/100) for H13 Nitrided; for welding the order is H13 Stress Relieved first (fair, 38/100) then H13 Nitrided (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in H13 Nitrided and H13 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.