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Steel H21 Annealed vs H21 Hot Rolled

Steel · H21 temper comparison

H21 Annealed and H21 Hot Rolled are two conditions of the same steel grade, H21: Annealed versus Hot Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. H21 Hot Rolled is the stronger of the two: yield strength 850 MPa (123 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for H21 Annealed, about 37% more; tensile strength follows at 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, H21 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 10% for H21 Hot Rolled, and H21 Hot Rolled is harder (320 HB vs 220 HB). H21 Hot Rolled runs hotter in service (500°C vs 450°C continuous). On the shop floor, H21 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor) and H21 Annealed welds better (fair vs poor).

H21 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

H21 Hot RolledChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

H21 Annealed vs H21 Hot Rolled: properties

H21 AnnealedH21 Hot Rolled

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

900 MPa131 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
850 MPa123 ksi

Elongation at Break

18%
10%

Reduction in Area

40%
25%

Compressive Strength

650 MPa94.3 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Shear Strength

550 MPa79.8 ksi
670 MPa97.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

400 MPa58 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
38 MPa·√m34.6 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
12 J8.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

220 HB
320 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

19 HRC
34 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

230 HV
335 HV

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 · Hardness, Rockwell B 97 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 8.28 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

450°C842 °F
500°C932 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 27 W/m·K15.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 15 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

40 / 100
25 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

45%
30%

Weldability

35 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

20 / 100
8 / 100

Same in both: Castability 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 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.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleH21

H21 Annealed vs H21 Hot Rolled — frequently asked

Is H21 Hot Rolled stronger than H21 Annealed?

Yes. H21 Hot Rolled has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for H21 Annealed — about 37% more. Tensile strength is 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).

Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Hot Rolled?

Annealed is the default H21 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, H21 Annealed or H21 Hot Rolled?

H21 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (25/100) for H21 Hot Rolled; for welding the order is H21 Annealed first (fair, 35/100) then H21 Hot Rolled (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in H21 Annealed and H21 Hot Rolled 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.