Stainless Steel 316N 1/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 316N · UNS S31651 · EN 1.4406, X5CrNiMoN17-12-2 · JIS SUS316N
1/4H = quarter hard
Common high-strength sheet/strip temper where forming is limited to gentle bends.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other 316N tempers and conditions
316N is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 316N.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance and formability with nitrogen-boosted yield strength. | 310 | 620 | 50 | 165 HB | — |
1/16-Hard | Light cold work for a modest strength lift while keeping near-annealed ductility and bendability. | 380 | 680 | 42 | 195 HB | — |
1/8-Hard | Intermediate strip/sheet temper for lightly formed structural parts and clamps. | 420 | 720 | 35 | 220 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn round/hex bar for machined fasteners and shafts needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. | 520 | 760 | 25 | 230 HB | — |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Common high-strength sheet/strip temper where forming is limited to gentle bends. | 570 | 900 | 15 | 25 HRC | — |
Half hard | High-strength strip for springs, straps and load-bearing flat parts; forming limited to large-radius bends. | 800 | 1,070 | 10 | 32 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum cold-worked strip strength for flat springs and shims with minimal forming. | 970 | 1,240 | 6 | 36 HRC | — |
Full hard | Maximum as-rolled strength strip; use flat or with very large bend radii only. | 1,030 | 1,320 | 5 | 40 HRC | — |
What is 316N 1/4H?
316N 1/4H is 316N supplied in the 1/4H condition — common high-strength sheet/strip temper where forming is limited to gentle bends. 316N 1/4H has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi). 316N 1/4H has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 82/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 570 MPa (82.7 ksi), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
316N 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 316N 1/4H; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 316N reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
316N 1/4H has a density of 8 g/cm³ (0.289 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical16
316N 1/4H has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 195 GPa (28.3 Msi).
Thermal6
316N 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 14.6 W/m·K (8.44 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
316N 1/4H conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 316N 1/4H takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
316N 1/4H's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 316N 1/4H
Is 316N easy to machine?
Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~35% of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316N be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316L or 316LMn filler, no preheat, interpass below ~150 °C; heavy sections benefit from post-weld solution anneal since the 0.08% C limit allows sensitisation.
Can 316N be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but needs roughly 20–30% more press force and larger bend radii than 316L because of the nitrogen strengthening; hot work 1150–1200 °C and always solution anneal + quench afterwards.
What surface finishes work on 316N?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after fabrication; takes mirror (No.8) and brushed (No.4) finishes well — never anodise, and avoid carbon-steel contact tooling to prevent iron contamination.
316N 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cstandard carbon (not L grade) | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| 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 |
| Nsolid-solution strengthener, defines the N grade | 0.1 – 0.16 | 0.13 |
| Fe | balance | — |
316N 1/4H — frequently asked
What is 316N 1/4H used for?
316N 1/4H is typically used for structural marine components, pressure piping and process equipment requiring higher strength. In short: higher-strength 316; nitrogen-strengthened austenitic; 316 corrosion at 310 MPa yield.
What is the yield strength of 316N 1/4H?
316N 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 316N 1/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~35% of 1212 free-machining rate.
Can 316N 1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 316L or 316LMn filler, no preheat, interpass below ~150 °C; heavy sections benefit from post-weld solution anneal since the 0.08% C limit allows sensitisation.
What surface finishes work on 316N 1/4H?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after fabrication; takes mirror (No.8) and brushed (No.4) finishes well — never anodise, and avoid carbon-steel contact tooling to prevent iron contamination.
Can 316N 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but needs roughly 20–30% more press force and larger bend radii than 316L because of the nitrogen strengthening; hot work 1150–1200 °C and always solution anneal + quench afterwards.
What is the maximum service temperature of 316N 1/4H?
316N 1/4H 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 316N-ANN and 316N-FH?
ANN is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, pipe and fittings; maximum corrosion resistance and formability with nitrogen-boosted yield strength. FH: maximum as-rolled strength strip; use flat or with very large bend radii only. Yield strength is 310 MPa in ANN versus 1,030 MPa in FH.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (S31651) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM A276/A484 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- EN 10088-1/-2 (1.4406, X2CrNiMoN17-12-2 family) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G4304/G4305 (SUS316N) — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 24511 / GB/T 4237 — SAC (2017)
- 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)
- ASME BPVC Section II Part D — Materials Properties — ASME (2023)
- Outokumpu Steel Grade datasheet 1.4406/316N — Outokumpu (2022)
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.