Stainless Steel 317L-1/4 Hard
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 317L · UNS S31703 · EN 1.4438, X2CrNiMo18-15-4 · JIS SUS317L · GB 022Cr19Ni13Mo3
1/4 Hard = quarter hard
Light temper rolling when moderate extra strength is needed with usable bend ductility.
Values for the 1/4 Hard condition
Other 317L tempers and conditions
317L is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 317L.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot Rolled, Annealed and Pickled (plate, 1D/No.1 finish) | Heavy plate condition for tanks, scrubbers and pressure vessels. | 255 | 565 | 48 | 160 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
mill annealed sheet/strip/bar | Generic annealed stock condition; mechanically equivalent to solution annealed for this L-grade. | 260 | 575 | 50 | 150 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1040–1120 °C, rapid quench | Standard supply condition for plate, sheet, pipe and bar — maximum corrosion resistance and ductility. | 265 | 580 | 50 | 155 HB | — |
Cold Rolled, Annealed, 2B finish | Smooth 2B sheet for fabricated equipment and deep-drawn parts. | 275 | 590 | 50 | 165 HB | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold Drawn bar (annealed then drawn to size) | Choose for close-tolerance bar and higher yield strength in machined fittings and shafts. | 450 | 690 | 30 | 16 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
1/4 HardThis page Quarter hard | Light temper rolling when moderate extra strength is needed with usable bend ductility. | 515 | 860 | 15 | 24 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Half hard | Higher-strength strip for springs, clamps and structural strapping where forming is minimal. | 760 | 1,035 | 10 | 32 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is 317L-1/4 Hard?
317L-1/4 Hard is 317L supplied in the 1/4 Hard condition — light temper rolling when moderate extra strength is needed with usable bend ductility. 317L-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 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 317L-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
- Good corrosion resistance — 78/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% 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
317L-1/4 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 317L-1/4 Hard; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 317L reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
317L-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
317L-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 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
317L-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 14.2 W/m·K (8.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
317L-1/4 Hard conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% 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 317L-1/4 Hard takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
317L-1/4 Hard's machinability is fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 317L-1/4 Hard
Is 317L easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, no dwell, and flood coolant; roughly 45 % of AISI 1212 speeds.
Can 317L be welded?
Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 317L or overmatched 317L/Mo-rich filler; keep interpass below ~150 °C, no preheat and no PWHT required, back-purge for full corrosion resistance.
Can 317L be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable and readily roll-formed, but springback and press loads are higher than carbon steel; anneal between severe cold-forming steps.
What surface finishes work on 317L?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after fabrication to restore the passive film; not anodizable, takes mechanical No.4 or mirror No.8 finishes well.
317L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon for weld sensitization resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 18.5 |
| Ni | 11 – 15 | 13 |
| Mo | 3 – 4 | 3.4 |
| N | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
317L-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
What is 317L-1/4 Hard used for?
317L-1/4 Hard is typically used for welded bleaching tanks and washers, FGD scrubber vessels and spray headers, chemical and pharmaceutical process piping, heat exchanger tube bundles, seawater and brine handling equipment and acid storage tanks. In short: pitting-resistant low-carbon stainless.
What is the yield strength of 317L-1/4 Hard?
317L-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 317L-1/4 Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, better than 57% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, no dwell, and flood coolant; roughly 45 % of AISI 1212 speeds.
Can 317L-1/4 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Excellent by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with 317L or overmatched 317L/Mo-rich filler; keep interpass below ~150 °C, no preheat and no PWHT required, back-purge for full corrosion resistance.
What surface finishes work on 317L-1/4 Hard?
Pickle and passivate (ASTM A967) or electropolish after fabrication to restore the passive film; not anodizable, takes mechanical No.4 or mirror No.8 finishes well.
Can 317L-1/4 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable and readily roll-formed, but springback and press loads are higher than carbon steel; anneal between severe cold-forming steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of 317L-1/4 Hard?
317L-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 317L-1/4 Hard?
Yes — 317L-1/4 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 A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A312/A312M — Seamless, Welded and Heavily Cold Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- EN 10088-2 (1.4438 / X2CrNiMo18-15-4) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G 4304 / G 4305 (SUS317L) — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 4237 / GB/T 3280 (022Cr19Ni13Mo3) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu / Sandvik austenitic stainless steel datasheets (4438 / 317L) — Outokumpu, Alleima (2023)
- SMM / Mysteel — SMM / Mysteel (2025)
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.