Stainless Steel 1.4597 1/2H
Supply condition
EN 1.4597
1/2H = half hard
Good strength-to-cost condition for brackets, clamps and structural strip with mild forming only.
Values for the 1/2H condition
Other 1.4597 tempers and conditions
1.4597 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4597.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocked condition for sheet, coil, tube and bar — maximum ductility for forming, drawing and welding. | 340 | 720 | 50 | 195 HB | — |
EN 10088-2 cold-worked strength class, Rm ≥ 700 MPa | Lightly cold-worked European strength class when a guaranteed minimum tensile of 700 MPa is specified. | 420 | 760 | 35 | 20 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Choose for light stiffening of panels and tube where some bending is still required. | 570 | 900 | 25 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar and cold-heading wire for fasteners and turned parts; better straightness and surface than annealed bar. | 650 | 900 | 20 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
1/2HThis page Half hard | Good strength-to-cost condition for brackets, clamps and structural strip with mild forming only. | 800 | 1,080 | 15 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | For flat springs and high-stiffness strip where only very gentle bends are made. | 930 | 1,240 | 10 | 37 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum as-rolled strength for straight strip, blades and clamp bands; essentially no forming capability. | 1,000 | 1,320 | 8 | 41 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Spring temper wire | Heavily drawn wire for springs, clips and mesh where high tensile strength matters more than corrosion margin. | 1,350 | 1,600 | 4 | 46 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 1.4597 1/2H?
1.4597 1/2H is 1.4597 supplied in the 1/2H condition — good strength-to-cost condition for brackets, clamps and structural strip with mild forming only. 1.4597 1/2H has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). 1.4597 1/2H 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). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 800 MPa (116 ksi), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 47/100, worse than 81% of stainless steel grades
1.4597 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4597 1/2H; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4597 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4597 1/2H 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).
Mechanical16
1.4597 1/2H has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4597 1/2H 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 17 µm/m·K (9.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4597 1/2H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (47/100), worse than 81% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4597 1/2H takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
1.4597 1/2H's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4597 1/2H
Is 1.4597 easy to machine?
Work-hardens fast — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 1.4597 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 307 filler; keep heat input and interpass temperature low to limit sensitisation and hot cracking from Cu/Mn.
Can 1.4597 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and cold-heading behaviour for a 200-series grade thanks to the copper addition; allow extra springback versus 304 and interstage anneal for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 1.4597?
Takes No.4 brushed, BA and mirror polishes well; passivate after machining/welding and consider PVD or lacquer for decorative outdoor use since chloride resistance is limited.
1.4597 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.10 % typical for the X8 designation | ≤ 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mnaustenite stabiliser replacing nickel | 7 – 9 | 8 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 17.5 | 17 |
| Nideliberately low; some mill variants run 0.8–2.0 % | 1 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Culowers work-hardening rate, improves cold heading/deep drawing | 2 – 3.5 | 2.8 |
| N | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.17 |
| Nbpresent only in the Nb-stabilised variant X8CrMnCuNbN17-8-3 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4597 1/2H — frequently asked
What is 1.4597 1/2H used for?
1.4597 1/2H is typically used for appliance trim, kitchenware, structural cladding and cost-sensitive fabrications. In short: low-nickel 304 substitute; strong deep-drawing 200-series; cost-driven sheet stainless.
What is the yield strength of 1.4597 1/2H?
1.4597 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 1.4597 1/2H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens fast — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 1.4597 1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 307 filler; keep heat input and interpass temperature low to limit sensitisation and hot cracking from Cu/Mn.
What surface finishes work on 1.4597 1/2H?
Takes No.4 brushed, BA and mirror polishes well; passivate after machining/welding and consider PVD or lacquer for decorative outdoor use since chloride resistance is limited.
Can 1.4597 1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and cold-heading behaviour for a 200-series grade thanks to the copper addition; allow extra springback versus 304 and interstage anneal for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4597 1/2H?
1.4597 1/2H 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.
What is the difference between 1.4597-A and 1.4597-SPR?
A is the default condition — standard stocked condition for sheet, coil, tube and bar — maximum ductility for forming, drawing and welding. SPR: heavily drawn wire for springs, clips and mesh where high tensile strength matters more than corrosion margin. Yield strength is 340 MPa in A versus 1,350 MPa in SPR.
Sources
- EN 10088-2 Stainless steels — sheet/plate and strip for general purposes — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A666 Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Type 201/201Cu low-nickel austenitic stainless data sheets — Outokumpu / Jindal / Tsingshan (2021)
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.