Stainless Steel 1.4373-1/2 Hard
Supply condition
EN 1.4373 · UNS S20200 · AISI/SAE 202 · GB 12Cr18Mn9Ni5N, 1Cr18Mn8Ni5N
1/2 Hard = half hard
High-strength strip for clamps, springs-in-bending and structural sections; forming limited to gentle radii.
Values for the 1/2 Hard condition
Other 1.4373 tempers and conditions
1.4373 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4373.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No.1 plate / hot-rolled bar | Heavy plate and hot-rolled bar condition for welded fabrication where surface finish is secondary. | 350 | 680 | 50 | 185 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1050–1120 °C, water quenched); 2B / BA / 2D / No.1 finishes | Default stocked condition for sheet, coil, tube and bar; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance, non-magnetic. | 370 | 700 | 52 | 190 HB | — |
Lightly temper-rolled strip/sheet | Choose when slightly higher yield and flatter, stiffer sheet are needed with almost annealed formability. | 400 | 720 | 40 | 210 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold rolled to ASTM A666 1/8-hard temper | Mild cold-rolled temper for panels and trim needing extra stiffness but still some bending. | 450 | 760 | 30 | 225 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Common structural temper for tube, trim and light brackets where 515 MPa minimum yield is specified. | 580 | 900 | 15 | 26 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
bar and wire drawn after annealing | Pick for bar stock needing tighter tolerance, better surface and higher yield than annealed bar (fasteners, shafts). | 600 | 850 | 20 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
1/2 HardThis page Half hard | High-strength strip for clamps, springs-in-bending and structural sections; forming limited to gentle radii. | 820 | 1,070 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum strength strip for flat springs, shims and clips; essentially blanking/slitting only. | 990 | 1,240 | 8 | 37 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold rolled to ASTM A666 full-hard temper | Maximum as-rolled strength for flat springs, straps and stamped hardware; no significant forming possible. | 1,030 | 1,320 | 5 | 41 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 1.4373-1/2 Hard?
1.4373-1/2 Hard is 1.4373 supplied in the 1/2 Hard condition — high-strength strip for clamps, springs-in-bending and structural sections; forming limited to gentle radii. 1.4373-1/2 Hard has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1.4373-1/2 Hard has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 820 MPa (119 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 49/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
1.4373-1/2 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4373-1/2 Hard; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4373 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4373-1/2 Hard has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
1.4373-1/2 Hard has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4373-1/2 Hard is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.8 µm/m·K (9.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4373-1/2 Hard conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (49/100), worse than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4373-1/2 Hard takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
1.4373-1/2 Hard's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (32/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4373-1/2 Hard
Is 1.4373 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed to cut under the hardened layer, and flood coolant; roughly 40 % of 1212 speed.
Can 1.4373 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C, as the higher carbon and Mn make sensitization and hot cracking more likely than in 304.
Can 1.4373 be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable but with a high work-hardening rate — expect 30–50 % more press force than 304 and plan interstage anneals for severe draws; springback is substantial.
What surface finishes work on 1.4373?
Takes a bright mechanical or electropolished finish and PVD coating well; passivate after machining/welding and avoid carbon-steel contamination, since the lower PREN makes rust staining more likely outdoors.
1.4373 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10088 max 0.15 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| MnASTM S20200: 7.5–10.0 | 7.5 – 10.5 | 9 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| SASTM S20200 allows 0.030 max | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Naustenite stabiliser, raises strength | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4373-1/2 Hard — frequently asked
What is 1.4373-1/2 Hard used for?
1.4373-1/2 Hard is typically used for kitchen equipment, industrial fasteners, furniture tubing and appliance panels. In short: low-nickel 304 substitute; cost-stable 2xx workhorse; formable but stain-prone.
What is the yield strength of 1.4373-1/2 Hard?
1.4373-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1.4373-1/2 Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed to cut under the hardened layer, and flood coolant; roughly 40 % of 1212 speed.
Can 1.4373-1/2 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C, as the higher carbon and Mn make sensitization and hot cracking more likely than in 304.
What surface finishes work on 1.4373-1/2 Hard?
Takes a bright mechanical or electropolished finish and PVD coating well; passivate after machining/welding and avoid carbon-steel contamination, since the lower PREN makes rust staining more likely outdoors.
Can 1.4373-1/2 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable but with a high work-hardening rate — expect 30–50 % more press force than 304 and plan interstage anneals for severe draws; springback is substantial.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4373-1/2 Hard?
1.4373-1/2 Hard is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2 Stainless steels — list and technical delivery conditions (X12CrMnNiN18-9-5, 1.4373) — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (S20200) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- GB/T 20878 / GB/T 3280 — (12Cr18Mn9Ni5N) — SAC (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.