Stainless Steel 205-FH (Full hard)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 205 · UNS S20500
Pick for maximum strength flat springs, shims and retaining parts where forming is limited to shallow bends.
Values for the FH condition
Other 205 tempers and conditions
205 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 205.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Pick for maximum ductility and forming/deep-drawing before any hardening by cold work. | 475 | 830 | 58 | 230 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Pick when moderate strength gain is needed but the part still has to be bent or moderately formed. | 760 | 1,035 | 25 | 25 HRC | — |
Half hard | Pick for structural strip, clamps and brackets needing high yield strength with limited bending. | 965 | 1,240 | 15 | 32 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Pick for spring-like flat parts and high-load stampings with only gentle forming radii. | 1,140 | 1,380 | 12 | 37 HRC | — |
FHThis page Full hard | Pick for maximum strength flat springs, shims and retaining parts where forming is limited to shallow bends. | 1,310 | 1,520 | 8 | 42 HRC | — |
What is 205-FH?
205-FH is 205 supplied in the FH condition — pick for maximum strength flat springs, shims and retaining parts where forming is limited to shallow bends. 205-FH has a yield strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 205-FH has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; FH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,310 MPa (190 ksi), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% 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
- Needs corrosion protection — 43/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
205-FH properties
Typical room-temperature values for 205-FH; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 205 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
205-FH has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
205-FH has a yield strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
205-FH is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 16.9 µm/m·K (9.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
205-FH conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (43/100), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 205-FH takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
205-FH's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (42/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 205-FH
Is 205 easy to machine?
Treat as a difficult austenitic: rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and flood coolant to cut under the work-hardened skin — never dwell or rub.
Can 205 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/resistance welding with 209 or 308L/307 type filler and low heat input; avoid pre-heat, and expect loss of the cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
Can 205 be formed, bent or molded?
Very high work-hardening rate — size presses for ~1.5–2× the load used for 304, use generous bend radii and interstage annealing at 1010–1120 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What surface finishes work on 205?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining, or electropolish/mechanically polish to BA or No.4 finish.
205 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 | 0.12 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| MnNi-replacing austenite stabiliser | 14 – 15.5 | 14.8 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 16.5 – 18 | 17.2 |
| Ni | 1 – 1.75 | 1.4 |
| Nprincipal strengthener | 0.32 – 0.4 | 0.36 |
| Fe | balance | — |
205-FH — frequently asked
What is 205-FH used for?
205-FH is typically used for structural components, fasteners and transportation parts. In short: strongest 200-series austenitic; nitrogen-strengthened, low nickel; hard to machine.
What is the yield strength of 205-FH?
205-FH has a typical yield strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,520 MPa (220 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 205-FH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades). Treat as a difficult austenitic: rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and flood coolant to cut under the work-hardened skin — never dwell or rub.
Can 205-FH be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (42/100). GTAW/GMAW/resistance welding with 209 or 308L/307 type filler and low heat input; avoid pre-heat, and expect loss of the cold-worked strength in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 205-FH?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining, or electropolish/mechanically polish to BA or No.4 finish.
Can 205-FH be formed, bent or molded?
Very high work-hardening rate — size presses for ~1.5–2× the load used for 304, use generous bend radii and interstage annealing at 1010–1120 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 205-FH?
205-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 205-ANN and 205-FH?
ANN is the default condition — pick for maximum ductility and forming/deep-drawing before any hardening by cold work. FH: pick for maximum strength flat springs, shims and retaining parts where forming is limited to shallow bends. Yield strength is 475 MPa in ANN versus 1,310 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)
- ASM Specialty Handbook — Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings for stainless steels) — Industrial Press (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.