Stainless Steel 204 1/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 204 · UNS S20400
1/4H = quarter hard
Use for spring-back-tolerant panels, clamps, straps and structural strip needing ~2× the yield of annealed material.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other 204 tempers and conditions
204 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 204.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Default stocked condition for sheet, coil, plate and tube where forming, deep drawing or welding follows. | 500 | 730 | 45 | 210 HB | — |
1/8 Hard | Choose when slightly higher yield and better flatness/stiffness are needed but forming is still required. | 550 | 800 | 30 | 23 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Use for spring-back-tolerant panels, clamps, straps and structural strip needing ~2× the yield of annealed material. | 690 | 930 | 20 | 25 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Bar and wire condition with improved straightness, surface finish and yield strength for machined fittings and fasteners. | 700 | 900 | 18 | 24 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | For flat springs, brackets and abrasion-exposed strip where only mild bending is done. | 830 | 1,070 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | High-strength strip for clips and shims where forming is limited to gentle radii. | 960 | 1,210 | 8 | 36 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum-strength flat strip for spring clips and wear strips; essentially no formability beyond flat blanking. | 1,070 | 1,320 | 5 | 40 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 204 1/4H?
204 1/4H is 204 supplied in the 1/4H condition — use for spring-back-tolerant panels, clamps, straps and structural strip needing ~2× the yield of annealed material. 204 1/4H has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 204 1/4H 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 690 MPa (100 ksi), better than 92% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 43/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
204 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 204 1/4H; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 204 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
204 1/4H 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
204 1/4H has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
204 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
204 1/4H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (43/100), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 204 1/4H takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
204 1/4H's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 204 1/4H
Is 204 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can 204 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 209/308L type filler; keep heat input low and interpass cool to limit hot cracking and sensitization; no preheat needed.
Can 204 be formed, bent or molded?
Good deep-drawing and roll-forming behaviour but high work-hardening rate means higher press loads, larger springback and more frequent interstage annealing than 304.
What surface finishes work on 204?
Takes 2B, BA and No.4 finishes and electropolishes well; passivate after machining/welding, and avoid chloride-rich outdoor exposure to prevent tea-staining.
204 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon to limit sensitization | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mnaustenite stabilizer replacing Ni | 7 – 9 | 8 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 15 – 17.5 | 16 |
| Nireduced vs 304 (8–10.5%) | 1.5 – 3 | 2 |
| Nmain strengthener and austenite stabilizer | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Fe | balance | — |
204 1/4H — frequently asked
What is 204 1/4H used for?
204 1/4H is typically used for appliance panels, sinks, decorative trim and cookware. In short: low-nickel 304 substitute; high work-hardening sheet; indoor-service corrosion only.
What is the yield strength of 204 1/4H?
204 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 204 1/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can 204 1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 209/308L type filler; keep heat input low and interpass cool to limit hot cracking and sensitization; no preheat needed.
What surface finishes work on 204 1/4H?
Takes 2B, BA and No.4 finishes and electropolishes well; passivate after machining/welding, and avoid chloride-rich outdoor exposure to prevent tea-staining.
Can 204 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Good deep-drawing and roll-forming behaviour but high work-hardening rate means higher press loads, larger springback and more frequent interstage annealing than 304.
What is the maximum service temperature of 204 1/4H?
204 1/4H is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 204-ANN and 204-FH?
ANN is the default condition — default stocked condition for sheet, coil, plate and tube where forming, deep drawing or welding follows. FH: maximum-strength flat strip for spring clips and wear strips; essentially no formability beyond flat blanking. Yield strength is 500 MPa in ANN versus 1,070 MPa in FH.
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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Low-nickel Cr-Mn austenitic stainless (200-series) product data — Outokumpu / AK Steel (2020)
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.