Steel H21 Annealed vs H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC
Steel · H21 temper comparison
H21 Annealed and H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, H21: Annealed versus Q&T 44-48 HRC (balanced hot-work die hardness). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for H21 Annealed, about 118% more; tensile strength follows at 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, H21 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 9% for H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC, and H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC is harder (430 HB vs 220 HB). H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC runs hotter in service (610°C vs 450°C continuous). On the shop floor, H21 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor) and H21 Annealed welds better (fair vs not recommended).
H21 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
H21 Q&T 44-48 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
H21 Annealed vs H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
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: 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.
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) 11.8 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).
Corrosion Resistance
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 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.
H21 Annealed vs H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC — frequently asked
Is H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC stronger than H21 Annealed?
Yes. H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for H21 Annealed — about 118% more. Tensile strength is 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Q&T 44-48 HRC?
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 Q&T 44-48 HRC?
H21 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (16/100) for H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC; for welding the order is H21 Annealed first (fair, 35/100) then H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC (not recommended, 14/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in H21 Annealed and H21 Q&T 44-48 HRC 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.