Stainless Steel 316H 1/2H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 316H · UNS S31609
1/2H = half hard
High-strength springy strip for clamps and flat springs where forming is limited to gentle bends.
Values for the 1/2H condition
Other 316H tempers and conditions
316H is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 316H.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot finished bar / forged, solution annealed | Large sections, flanges and forged pressure parts; annealed after hot work to restore code properties. | 240 | 550 | 45 | 160 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (approx. 1040–1120 °C, rapid quench) | Standard stocked condition for plate, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance, required for ASME code service. | 245 | 560 | 50 | 150 HB | — |
Cold rolled, annealed and bright-finished sheet (2B) | Thin sheet/strip for formed and welded components requiring a smooth bright surface. | 260 | 580 | 50 | 158 HB | 2.3 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for shafting and machined parts needing tighter tolerance, better surface and ~2× the yield strength of annealed bar. | 500 | 700 | 28 | 220 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Use when moderate strength increase is wanted with retained bendability; not a code condition for pressure parts. | 560 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
1/2HThis page Half hard | High-strength springy strip for clamps and flat springs where forming is limited to gentle bends. | 800 | 1,070 | 9 | 32 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is 316H 1/2H?
316H 1/2H is 316H supplied in the 1/2H condition — high-strength springy strip for clamps and flat springs where forming is limited to gentle bends. 316H 1/2H has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 316H 1/2H has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 800 MPa (116 ksi), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
316H 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316H 1/2H; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 316H reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316H 1/2H has a density of 7.98 g/cm³ (0.288 lb/in³), heavier than 85% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F).
Mechanical16
316H 1/2H has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
316H 1/2H is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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 15.9 µm/m·K (8.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316H 1/2H conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 53% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316H 1/2H takes about 75 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 84% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
316H 1/2H's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 70% 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 316H 1/2H
Is 316H easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, ~30–40% of the speed used for 1212, and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can 316H be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316/316L or 16-8-2 filler; no preheat, keep interpass below ~150 °C, and post-weld solution anneal thick sections destined for wet corrosive service since the high carbon promotes sensitization.
Can 316H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability with high work-hardening — allow extra springback, use larger press capacity than for carbon steel, and hot form at 925–1200 °C followed by solution anneal.
What surface finishes work on 316H?
Not anodizable; passivate to ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling. Takes a bright No.4 or No.8 mirror polish; avoid carbon-steel contamination during grinding.
316H 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cthe defining H-grade carbon range | 0.04 – 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 10 – 14 | 12 |
| Mo | 2 – 3 | 2.5 |
| Nper ASTM A240 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance | — |
316H 1/2H — frequently asked
What is 316H 1/2H used for?
316H 1/2H is typically used for high-temperature pressure vessels, power plant superheater and steam piping, petrochemical process piping, reformer and furnace internals, heat exchanger tube sheets and boiler headers and fittings. In short: creep-rated 316; ASME elevated-temperature grade; higher carbon than 316L.
What is the yield strength of 316H 1/2H?
316H 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) — stronger than 96% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 316H 1/2H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening: use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, ~30–40% of the speed used for 1212, and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can 316H 1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316/316L or 16-8-2 filler; no preheat, keep interpass below ~150 °C, and post-weld solution anneal thick sections destined for wet corrosive service since the high carbon promotes sensitization.
What surface finishes work on 316H 1/2H?
Not anodizable; passivate to ASTM A967 or electropolish after pickling. Takes a bright No.4 or No.8 mirror polish; avoid carbon-steel contamination during grinding.
Can 316H 1/2H be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability with high work-hardening — allow extra springback, use larger press capacity than for carbon steel, and hot form at 925–1200 °C followed by solution anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316H 1/2H?
316H 1/2H 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 316H Annealed and 316H-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum ductility and corrosion resistance, required for ASME code service. CD: pick for shafting and machined parts needing tighter tolerance, better surface and ~2× the yield strength of annealed bar. Yield strength is 245 MPa in Annealed versus 500 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A276M and A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A213/A312 — Seamless Ferritic/Austenitic Alloy Tubes and Pipe (TP316H) — ASTM International (2022)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Allowable Stresses and Physical Properties — ASME (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.