Stainless Steel 304Cu-1/2 Hard
Supply condition
GB 304Cu · UNS S30430-like, S30430
1/2 Hard = half hard
Choose for springy clips and flat parts needing high strength with only gentle bends.
Values for the 1/2 Hard condition
Other 304Cu tempers and conditions
304Cu is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 304Cu.
- Annealed
- Cold Drawn
- 1/4 Hard
- 1/2 Hard
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (soft) cold-heading wire/rod | Default stock condition for cold heading, riveting and deep drawing where maximum ductility is needed. | 210 | 500 | 55 | 145 HB | — |
drawn wire/bar (light to medium draw) | Pick for wire and bar that must hold size and give higher strength while still allowing moderate forming or threading. | 520 | 700 | 22 | 20 HRC | — |
Quarter hard | Use when a modest strength increase is needed but the part still has to be bent or roll-formed. | 550 | 860 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
1/2 HardThis page Half hard | Choose for springy clips and flat parts needing high strength with only gentle bends. | 760 | 1,030 | 8 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 304Cu-1/2 Hard?
304Cu-1/2 Hard is 304Cu supplied in the 1/2 Hard condition — choose for springy clips and flat parts needing high strength with only gentle bends. 304Cu-1/2 Hard has a yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 304Cu-1/2 Hard has a density of 7.93 g/cm³ (0.286 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 760 MPa (110 ksi), better than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 46/100, better than 87% 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
304Cu-1/2 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 304Cu-1/2 Hard; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 304Cu reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
304Cu-1/2 Hard has a density of 7.93 g/cm³ (0.286 lb/in³), heavier than 77% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical14
304Cu-1/2 Hard has a yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 94% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
304Cu-1/2 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 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
304Cu-1/2 Hard conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 304Cu-1/2 Hard takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
304Cu-1/2 Hard's machinability is fair (46/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 304Cu-1/2 Hard
Is 304Cu easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use sharp, positive-rake carbide, heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent a hardened skin.
Can 304Cu be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L filler; keep heat input low and avoid hot-crack-prone dilution because copper widens the solidification range.
Can 304Cu be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent for multi-station cold heading, upsetting and deep drawing thanks to the low work-hardening rate; anneal between severe reductions and use chloride-free lubricants.
What surface finishes work on 304Cu?
Passivate (nitric or citric) after forming, or electropolish for best appearance; mechanically polishes well to a bright finish, and no anodizing is applicable.
304Cu 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Csome mills hold ≤0.06 for better formability | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Skept low for cold heading | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 8 – 10 | 9 |
| Culowers work-hardening rate | 3 – 4 | 3.4 |
| Fe | balance | — |
304Cu-1/2 Hard — frequently asked
What is 304Cu-1/2 Hard used for?
304Cu-1/2 Hard is typically used for cold-headed screws and bolts, drawn enclosures, cookware liners, stainless rivets, deep-drawn cups and shells and sink bowls. In short: cold-heading copper-bearing stainless.
What is the yield strength of 304Cu-1/2 Hard?
304Cu-1/2 Hard has a typical yield strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) — stronger than 94% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 304Cu-1/2 Hard easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (46/100, better than 87% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 304 — use sharp, positive-rake carbide, heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent a hardened skin.
Can 304Cu-1/2 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L filler; keep heat input low and avoid hot-crack-prone dilution because copper widens the solidification range.
What surface finishes work on 304Cu-1/2 Hard?
Passivate (nitric or citric) after forming, or electropolish for best appearance; mechanically polishes well to a bright finish, and no anodizing is applicable.
Can 304Cu-1/2 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent for multi-station cold heading, upsetting and deep drawing thanks to the low work-hardening rate; anneal between severe reductions and use chloride-free lubricants.
What is the maximum service temperature of 304Cu-1/2 Hard?
304Cu-1/2 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 304Cu-1/2 Hard?
Yes — 304Cu-1/2 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 A493 — Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods for Cold Heading and Cold Forging — ASTM (2022)
- ASTM A314 / UNS S30430 (XM-7) chemistry — ASTM (2021)
- GB/T 1220 / 06Cr18Ni9Cu3 — SAC (2007)
- ISO 3506-1 Fasteners — Stainless steel, property class A2-70 — ISO (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Wrought Stainless Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion of Stainless Steels — ASM International (2005)
- 302HQ / S30430 cold-heading wire datasheet — Sandvik / Suzuki Garphyttan (2021)
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.