Stainless Steel 317 · supply condition
Stainless Steel 317-1/4 Hard
Properties of the 1/4 Hard condition, compared with the other 317 tempers.
Cold-rolled temper for stiffer light-gauge parts still requiring moderate bending ability.
What is 317-1/4 Hard?
317-1/4 Hard is 317 supplied in the 1/4 Hard condition — cold-rolled temper for stiffer light-gauge parts still requiring moderate bending ability. 317-1/4 Hard 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 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 317-1/4 Hard 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). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 870°C (1,598 °F), better than 82% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 515 MPa (74.7 ksi), better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
317-1/4 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 317-1/4 Hard — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 317 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
317-1/4 Hard 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).
Mechanical15
317-1/4 Hard 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 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
317-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous service to 870°C (1,598 °F). It conducts heat at 14.4 W/m·K (8.32 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
317-1/4 Hard conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 84% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 317-1/4 Hard takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 87% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
317-1/4 Hard's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (78/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 317 tempers and conditions
317 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 317 overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultStandard supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and tube — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility.290 MPa yield · 160 HB
- 1/4 HardCold-rolled temper for stiffer light-gauge parts still requiring moderate bending ability.515 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- Cold DrawnChoose for close-tolerance bright bar and shafting where higher yield strength and better surface than hot-rolled are needed.480 MPa yield · 210 HB
- AnnealedUse for hot-finished bar, forgings and fittings where softest, most ductile state is wanted before machining or forming.275 MPa yield · 155 HB
- Hot FinishedHot-rolled/hot-forged bar and plate condition per ASTM A276/A479, with a scaled or descaled surface and slightly higher strength and hardness than fully annealed material.275 MPa yield · 165 HB
Working with 317-1/4 Hard
Is 317 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can 317 be welded?
Weld readily by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 317L or ER318 filler, low heat input, no preheat; the 0.08 % C base grade can sensitise, so prefer 317L or post-weld solution anneal for aggressive service.
Can 317 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability but high work-hardening rate — allow 40–50 % more press force than carbon steel, generous radii, and interstage anneal for deep draws.
What surface finishes work on 317?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after welding to restore the passive film; polishes to a No.4 or No.8 mirror finish and cannot be anodised.
317 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.08 max; 317L is ≤0.030 for welded service | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Ni | 11 – 15 | 13 |
| Mo | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| NASTM A240 limit | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
317-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
What is 317-1/4 Hard used for?
317-1/4 Hard is typically used for pulp and paper bleaching equipment, FGD scrubber internals and ducting, chemical process vessels and piping, acid handling tanks and pumps, heat exchanger shells and tubes and flue gas condensers. In short: higher-molybdenum austenitic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 317-1/4 Hard?
317-1/4 Hard 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 7 listed tempers.
Is 317-1/4 Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy constant feed, low-to-moderate speed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling to prevent glazing.
Can 317-1/4 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (78/100). Weld readily by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 317L or ER318 filler, low heat input, no preheat; the 0.08 % C base grade can sensitise, so prefer 317L or post-weld solution anneal for aggressive service.
What surface finishes work on 317-1/4 Hard?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after welding to restore the passive film; polishes to a No.4 or No.8 mirror finish and cannot be anodised.
Can 317-1/4 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent cold formability but high work-hardening rate — allow 40–50 % more press force than carbon steel, generous radii, and interstage anneal for deep draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 317-1/4 Hard?
317-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous use to about 870°C (1,598 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 317-1/4 Hard?
Yes — 317-1/4 Hard is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Cr and Cr-Ni Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A479 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2022)
- EN 10088-2 (X5CrNiMo17-13-3, 1.4449) — CEN (2014)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Steel Grades / Corrosion Tables (317, 317L) — 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.