Stainless Steel 202-1/4 Hard
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 202 · UNS S20200 · EN 1.4373 · JIS SUS202 · GB 12Cr18Mn9Ni5
1/4 Hard = quarter hard
Springy trim, clamps and light structural strip that still tolerates moderate bending.
Values for the 1/4 Hard condition
Other 202 tempers and conditions
202 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 202.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
plate and heavy sheet | Heavy-gauge plate/coil condition for fabricated structures where surface appearance is not critical. | 330 | 640 | 52 | 180 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1050–1100 °C, water quenched) | Standard stocked condition: softest, most formable and most corrosion-resistant state for deep drawing and welding. | 345 | 655 | 55 | 190 HB | — |
Lightly cold worked strip | Slight stiffening for panels and trim while keeping most of the annealed formability. | 415 | 760 | 35 | 20 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
cold-rolled and skin-passed strip/sheet (light temper) | General cold-rolled 2B/BA decorative sheet and tube strip: slightly higher strength and better surface than hot-rolled annealed. | 420 | 720 | 45 | 215 HB | 2.5 % IACS |
1/4 HardThis page Quarter hard | Springy trim, clamps and light structural strip that still tolerates moderate bending. | 550 | 900 | 25 | 25 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Half hard | High-strength strip for springs, brackets and formed sections where only gentle bends are needed. | 790 | 1,070 | 15 | 32 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum strength strip for flat springs and wear strips with minimal forming. | 960 | 1,240 | 10 | 37 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
fully cold-rolled strip (ASTM A666 temper) | Maximum strength/hardness flat product for shims, springs and blanked parts with no bending. | 1,000 | 1,310 | 8 | 40 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is 202-1/4 Hard?
202-1/4 Hard is 202 supplied in the 1/4 Hard condition — springy trim, clamps and light structural strip that still tolerates moderate bending. 202-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 202-1/4 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; 1/4 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 550 MPa (79.8 ksi), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
202-1/4 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 202-1/4 Hard; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 202 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
202-1/4 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
202-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
202-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
202-1/4 Hard conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (54/100), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 202-1/4 Hard takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
202-1/4 Hard's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 202-1/4 Hard
Is 202 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feed with no dwell and copious coolant; roughly 40 % of 1212 free-cutting rate.
Can 202 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler; keep heat input low, avoid 425–815 °C dwell to limit sensitization, and back-purge tube welds.
Can 202 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and roll-form behaviour but a high work-hardening rate — allow extra press tonnage, generous bend radii and interstage annealing for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 202?
Takes No.4 brushed and No.8 mirror polish well and accepts PVD colour coating; passivate or electropolish after fabrication, and do not anodize.
202 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Mnaustenite stabilizer replacing Ni | 7.5 – 10 | 8.75 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| N | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance | — |
202-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
What is 202-1/4 Hard used for?
202-1/4 Hard is typically used for restaurant equipment, architectural trim and sinks. In short: manganese-nickel austenitic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 202-1/4 Hard?
202-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 83% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 202-1/4 Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feed with no dwell and copious coolant; roughly 40 % of 1212 free-cutting rate.
Can 202-1/4 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler; keep heat input low, avoid 425–815 °C dwell to limit sensitization, and back-purge tube welds.
What surface finishes work on 202-1/4 Hard?
Takes No.4 brushed and No.8 mirror polish well and accepts PVD colour coating; passivate or electropolish after fabrication, and do not anodize.
Can 202-1/4 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and roll-form behaviour but a high work-hardening rate — allow extra press tonnage, generous bend radii and interstage annealing for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 202-1/4 Hard?
202-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 202-1/4 Hard?
Yes — 202-1/4 Hard is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- JIS G 4305 (SUS202) — JSA (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.