Stainless Steel 1.4646-FH (Full hard)
Supply condition
EN 1.4646
Maximum strength strip/wire for springs, straps and shear-cut blanks; essentially no bendability and clearly magnetic.
Values for the FH condition
Other 1.4646 tempers and conditions
1.4646 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4646.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1050–1100 °C, water quenched) | Standard stocked condition for bar, wire rod, sheet and strip; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance before forming. | 390 | 720 | 48 | 200 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Use where straightness, close tolerance and moderately raised strength are needed without a full hard temper. | 560 | 820 | 30 | 240 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Light temper rolling for springy panels and clips that still need some bending. | 620 | 900 | 25 | 28 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Half hard | Common structural temper for strip parts, clamps and cutlery blanks needing high strength with limited bending. | 800 | 1,050 | 15 | 33 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | For flat springs and blades where strength dominates and only very gentle forming is required. | 950 | 1,200 | 10 | 38 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
FHThis page Full hard | Maximum strength strip/wire for springs, straps and shear-cut blanks; essentially no bendability and clearly magnetic. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 6 | 42 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 1.4646-FH?
1.4646-FH is 1.4646 supplied in the FH condition — maximum strength strip/wire for springs, straps and shear-cut blanks; essentially no bendability and clearly magnetic. 1.4646-FH has a yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 188 GPa (27.3 Msi). 1.4646-FH has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,150 MPa (167 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 40/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
1.4646-FH properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4646-FH; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4646 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4646-FH has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,390°C (2,534 °F).
Mechanical14
1.4646-FH has a yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 188 GPa (27.3 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4646-FH is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4646-FH conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4646-FH takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
1.4646-FH's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4646-FH
Is 1.4646 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (avoid dwelling) and flood coolant; expect ~40–45 % of 1212 speeds.
Can 1.4646 be welded?
Weldable by TIG/MIG/resistance methods with 307/209 or 308L-type filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C, avoid pre/postheat that promotes carbide precipitation, and never weld the copper-rich grade over Cu-contaminated surfaces.
Can 1.4646 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold heading, upsetting and deep drawing thanks to Cu and N balance; use chlorinated or polymer heavy-duty lubricant and interstage anneal at 1050 °C for severe multi-blow parts.
What surface finishes work on 1.4646?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining; takes a good bright polish and electropolish, and can be PVD-coated or blackened — do not anodize.
1.4646 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CX6 designation | ≤ 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | 10.5 – 13 | 12 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5 | 4 |
| Culowers work-hardening rate for cold heading | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Naustenite stabiliser and solid-solution strengthener | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4646-FH — frequently asked
What is 1.4646-FH used for?
1.4646-FH is typically used for cold-formed fasteners, cutlery and decorative hardware. In short: nitrogen-strengthened Cr-Mn austenitic; higher strength than 302Cu; good heading formability.
What is the yield strength of 1.4646-FH?
1.4646-FH has a typical yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1.4646-FH easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed (avoid dwelling) and flood coolant; expect ~40–45 % of 1212 speeds.
Can 1.4646-FH be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable by TIG/MIG/resistance methods with 307/209 or 308L-type filler; keep heat input low and interpass below ~150 °C, avoid pre/postheat that promotes carbide precipitation, and never weld the copper-rich grade over Cu-contaminated surfaces.
What surface finishes work on 1.4646-FH?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining; takes a good bright polish and electropolish, and can be PVD-coated or blackened — do not anodize.
Can 1.4646-FH be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold heading, upsetting and deep drawing thanks to Cu and N balance; use chlorinated or polymer heavy-duty lubricant and interstage anneal at 1050 °C for severe multi-blow parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4646-FH?
1.4646-FH 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 1.4646 Annealed and 1.4646-FH?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bar, wire rod, sheet and strip; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance before forming. FH: maximum strength strip/wire for springs, straps and shear-cut blanks; essentially no bendability and clearly magnetic. Yield strength is 390 MPa in Annealed versus 1,150 MPa in FH.
Sources
- EN 10088-1 Stainless steels — List of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-3 Stainless steels — Semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire and sections — CEN (2014)
- EN 10263-5 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading — Stainless steels — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- SMM / Mysteel (200 ) — SMM / Mysteel (2025)
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.