Stainless Steel 302 Full Hard
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 302 · UNS S30200 · EN 1.4319 · JIS SUS302 · GB 12Cr18Ni9
Maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs, blades and shims used essentially flat.
Values for the Full Hard condition
Other 302 tempers and conditions
302 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 302.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1010–1120 °C, rapid cool) | Default stocked condition for sheet, strip, bar and wire that will be deep drawn, bent or coiled. | 275 | 620 | 55 | 150 HB | — |
1/16 Hard | Lightly cold-rolled 302 strip/sheet temper per ASTM A666 (Rp0.2 ≥310 MPa) that keeps most of the annealed ductility for bending and forming. | 380 | 655 | 35 | 190 HB | 2.4 % IACS |
Lightly cold rolled strip | Use where annealed strip is too soft for handling but full bendability is still required. | 380 | 720 | 30 | 11 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Common temper for stamped brackets, clips and washers that still need moderate bending. | 550 | 900 | 12 | 27 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
1/4 Hard | Cold-rolled 302 quarter-hard temper per ASTM A666 (Rp0.2 ≥515 MPa, Rm ≥860 MPa) for moderately formed springy parts, clips and brackets. | 585 | 900 | 15 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
cold drawn bar / wire (as-drawn, ~10–20 % reduction) | Pick for shafts, pins and machined parts needing better straightness, surface finish and roughly double the annealed yield strength. | 690 | 860 | 14 | 24 HRC | — |
Half hard | Higher strength stamping temper for flat springs, shims and structural clips with gentle bend radii only. | 800 | 1,070 | 8 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
1/2 Hard | Cold-rolled 302 half-hard temper per ASTM A666 (Rp0.2 ≥760 MPa, Rm ≥1035 MPa) — high-strength springy strip with limited bend ductility. | 830 | 1,080 | 10 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | Near-spring temper strip for flat springs and retaining parts formed with generous radii. | 965 | 1,240 | 5 | 37 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full HardThis page heavily cold rolled strip (ASTM A666) | Maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs, blades and shims used essentially flat. | 1,030 | 1,320 | 4 | 41 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 302 Full Hard?
302 Full Hard is 302 supplied in the Full Hard condition — maximum cold-rolled strength for flat springs, blades and shims used essentially flat. 302 Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). 302 Full Hard has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% 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 — 1,030 MPa (149 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 35/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 90 MPa·√m (81.9 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
302 Full Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 302 Full Hard; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 302 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
302 Full Hard has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 68% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
302 Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
302 Full Hard is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 16.3 W/m·K (9.42 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
302 Full Hard conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), worse than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 302 Full Hard takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
302 Full Hard's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 302 Full Hard
Is 302 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, 20–35 % lower surface speed than mild steel and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can 302 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW/resistance welding are all practical with 308L/347 filler, but the ≤0.15 % C makes the HAZ sensitization-prone: keep heat input low and post-weld solution anneal for corrosive or high-temperature service.
Can 302 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and spring-coiling behaviour with high work hardening; allow springback and interstage annealing on severe draws, and stress-relieve coiled springs at 260–400 °C.
What surface finishes work on 302?
Not anodizable — passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish; takes a high mechanical polish (No.4 to mirror) and accepts electroplating with proper Woods-nickel strike.
302 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigher than 304 — gives the extra cold-work strength | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 8 – 10 | 9 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Si1.00 max in some product specs | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
302 Full Hard — frequently asked
What is 302 Full Hard used for?
302 Full Hard is typically used for springs, kitchen sinks and cookware. In short: general-purpose austenitic bar.
What is the yield strength of 302 Full Hard?
302 Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 302 Full Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, 20–35 % lower surface speed than mild steel and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can 302 Full Hard be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). GTAW/GMAW/resistance welding are all practical with 308L/347 filler, but the ≤0.15 % C makes the HAZ sensitization-prone: keep heat input low and post-weld solution anneal for corrosive or high-temperature service.
What surface finishes work on 302 Full Hard?
Not anodizable — passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish; takes a high mechanical polish (No.4 to mirror) and accepts electroplating with proper Woods-nickel strike.
Can 302 Full Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and spring-coiling behaviour with high work hardening; allow springback and interstage annealing on severe draws, and stress-relieve coiled springs at 260–400 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 302 Full Hard?
302 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 302 Full Hard?
Yes — 302 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
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A313/A313M — Stainless Steel Spring Wire — ASTM International (2018)
- EN 10088-3 (X10CrNi18-8, 1.4319) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G 4313 / G 4303 (SUS302) — JSA (2011)
- GB/T 1220 (12Cr18Ni9) — SAC (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — 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.