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Stainless Steel 202 Full Hard

Supply condition

AISI/SAE 202 · UNS S20200 · EN 1.4373 · JIS SUS202 · GB 12Cr18Mn9Ni5

Maximum strength/hardness flat product for shims, springs and blanked parts with no bending.

CNC machiningSheet metalPremium cost $$$

Values for the Full 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
plate and heavy sheet
Heavy-gauge plate/coil condition for fabricated structures where surface appearance is not critical.33064052180 HB2.5 % 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.34565555190 HB—
Lightly cold worked strip
Slight stiffening for panels and trim while keeping most of the annealed formability.4157603520 HRC2.5 % 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.42072045215 HB2.5 % IACS
Quarter hard
Springy trim, clamps and light structural strip that still tolerates moderate bending.5509002525 HRC2.5 % IACS
Half hard
High-strength strip for springs, brackets and formed sections where only gentle bends are needed.7901,0701532 HRC2.5 % IACS
Three-quarter hard
Near-maximum strength strip for flat springs and wear strips with minimal forming.9601,2401037 HRC2.5 % IACS
Full HardThis page
fully cold-rolled strip (ASTM A666 temper)
Maximum strength/hardness flat product for shims, springs and blanked parts with no bending.1,0001,310840 HRC2.5 % IACS

What is 202 Full Hard?

202 Full Hard is 202 supplied in the Full Hard condition — maximum strength/hardness flat product for shims, springs and blanked parts with no bending. 202 Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 202 Full 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; Full Hard is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,000 MPa (145 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
  • 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

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 45/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades

202 Full Hard properties

Typical room-temperature values for 202 Full Hard; 22 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 Full 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).

Density7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,400°C2,552 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,450°C2,642 °F

Mechanical15

202 Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus197 GPa28.6 Msi
Shear Modulus77 GPa11.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus152 GPa22 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,310 MPa190 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,000 MPa145 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Reduction in Area20%
Compressive Strength1,000 MPa145 ksi
Shear Strength780 MPa113 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)480 MPa69.6 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell370 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B90 HRB
Hardness, Vickers392 HV

Thermal6

202 Full Hard is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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).

Thermal Conductivity16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)17.5 µm/m·K9.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion285 J/g123 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

202 Full Hard conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m27.2 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsemoderately magnetic from strain-induced martensite

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.15 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair50/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in mild atmospheric, indoor and fresh-water service and against dilute organic acids; markedly less pitting/crevice resistance than 304 in chlorides, seawater, de-icing salt and warm acids; avoid sulfuric/hydrochloric media.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 202 Full 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%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)45 MJ/kg19,347 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content65%

Manufacturability8

202 Full Hard's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityPoor30/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
CastabilityFair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — stainless steel is not anodized; passivation, electropolishing or PVD colour coating is used instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 202 Full 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CASTM A240 max≤ 0.150.08
Mnaustenite stabilizer replacing Ni7.5 – 108.75
Si≤ 10.5
P≤ 0.060.03
S≤ 0.030.01
Cr17 – 1918
Ni4 – 65
N≤ 0.250.15
Febalance—

202 Full Hard — frequently asked

What is 202 Full Hard used for?

202 Full Hard is typically used for restaurant equipment, architectural trim and sinks. In short: manganese-nickel austenitic stainless.

What is the yield strength of 202 Full Hard?

202 Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is 202 Full Hard easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 70% 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 Full Hard be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). 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 Full 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 Full 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 Full Hard?

202 Full 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.

Can FabDigit make parts in 202 Full Hard?

Yes — 202 Full 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

  1. ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
  2. ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
  3. JIS G 4305 (SUS202) — JSA (2021)
  4. 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.