Stainless Steel 308 1/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 308 · UNS S30800 · JIS SUS308 · also ER308
1/4H = quarter hard
Occasional mill temper for strip/wire where moderate strength gain is needed without losing all bend ductility.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other 308 tempers and conditions
308 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 308.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard supply condition for S30800 wire, rod and bar: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for drawing, coiling and welding-consumable manufacture. | 260 | 585 | 55 | 150 HB | — |
308L As Welded | Choose the L version whenever the joint cannot be post-weld solution annealed and will see 425–870 °C or aggressive aqueous service (avoids sensitization). | 380 | 555 | 42 | 158 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | Property set to use when specifying weld metal for joining 304/304H or for stainless overlay on carbon steel; deposit contains 4–10 FN ferrite for hot-crack resistance. | 420 | 585 | 40 | 170 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
308H As Welded | Use for welding 304H pressure parts in creep service — the carbon floor preserves elevated-temperature strength above ~540 °C. | 430 | 600 | 38 | 172 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Occasional mill temper for strip/wire where moderate strength gain is needed without losing all bend ductility. | 515 | 860 | 15 | 25 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for straightened cut-length MIG/TIG rod and spooled wire where cast/helix control and column stiffness for wire feeding matter more than ductility. | 550 | 760 | 25 | 21 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 308 1/4H?
308 1/4H is 308 supplied in the 1/4H condition — occasional mill temper for strip/wire where moderate strength gain is needed without losing all bend ductility. 308 1/4H has a yield strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 78% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 308 1/4H has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% 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
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 515 MPa (74.7 ksi), better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
308 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 308 1/4H; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 308 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
308 1/4H has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
308 1/4H has a yield strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 78% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
308 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
308 1/4H conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 59% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 308 1/4H takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
308 1/4H's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 308 1/4H
Is 308 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 308 be welded?
This is the filler grade itself — GTAW/GMAW/SAW/SMAW with Ar or Ar+2%CO₂; keep interpass below ~150 °C, target 4–10 FN ferrite (WRC-1992) and use 308L when no post-weld anneal is possible.
Can 308 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability and coilability in the annealed state, but high springback and rapid work hardening; interstage anneal at 1040–1120 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What surface finishes work on 308?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, pickle/passivate weld zones (paste or electrochemical) to restore the chromium oxide film, or electropolish for hygienic surfaces.
308 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≤0.03 for 308L; 0.04–0.08 for 308H | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn1.0–2.5 in ER308 filler per AWS A5.9 | ≤ 2 | 1.6 |
| Si0.30–0.65 in ER308 wire | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P0.03 max in filler | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr19.5–22.0 in ER308 filler | 19 – 21 | 20 |
| Ni9.0–11.0 in ER308 filler | 10 – 12 | 11 |
| Moresidual limit (filler spec) | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Curesidual limit (filler spec) | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
308 1/4H — frequently asked
What is 308 1/4H used for?
308 1/4H is typically used for welding filler for 18-8 stainless, weld overlay cladding and food and chemical equipment. In short: standard 304 filler grade; higher Cr-Ni than 304; wire and rod forms.
What is the yield strength of 308 1/4H?
308 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 78% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 308 1/4H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening: use sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 308 1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). This is the filler grade itself — GTAW/GMAW/SAW/SMAW with Ar or Ar+2%CO₂; keep interpass below ~150 °C, target 4–10 FN ferrite (WRC-1992) and use 308L when no post-weld anneal is possible.
What surface finishes work on 308 1/4H?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, pickle/passivate weld zones (paste or electrochemical) to restore the chromium oxide film, or electropolish for hygienic surfaces.
Can 308 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold drawability and coilability in the annealed state, but high springback and rapid work hardening; interstage anneal at 1040–1120 °C followed by rapid cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 308 1/4H?
308 1/4H is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 308-ANN and 308-CD?
ANN is the default condition — standard supply condition for S30800 wire, rod and bar: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for drawing, coiling and welding-consumable manufacture. CD: pick for straightened cut-length MIG/TIG rod and spooled wire where cast/helix control and column stiffness for wire feeding matter more than ductility. Yield strength is 260 MPa in ANN versus 550 MPa in CD.
Sources
- AWS A5.9/A5.9M — Bare Stainless Steel Welding Electrodes and Rods (ER308/ER308L/ER308H) — AWS (2017)
- AWS A5.4/A5.4M — Stainless Steel Electrodes for SMAW (E308-XX) — AWS (2012)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (UNS S30800) — ASTM (2017)
- ASTM A479/A479M — Stainless Steel Bars for Pressure Vessels — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering (austenitic stainless filler metals) — ASM International (1993)
- ER308L / E308L consumable datasheets — Böhler Welding / Lincoln Electric / ESAB (2023)
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.