Stainless Steel 334 1/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 334 · UNS S33400
1/4H = quarter hard
Rarely stocked; used for springy strip and formed clips where extra room-temperature strength is wanted before a stress-relief.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other 334 tempers and conditions
334 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at 334.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (typically 1065–1175 °C, rapid cool) | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, tube and fabricated furnace hardware; maximum ductility and best high-temperature stability. | 275 | 585 | 45 | 150 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Choose when tighter tolerance, straighter bar and higher room-temperature strength are needed for machined furnace fixtures and fasteners. | 550 | 760 | 25 | 18 HRC | 1.7 % IACS |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Rarely stocked; used for springy strip and formed clips where extra room-temperature strength is wanted before a stress-relief. | 620 | 860 | 15 | 23 HRC | 1.7 % IACS |
What is 334 1/4H?
334 1/4H is 334 supplied in the 1/4H condition — rarely stocked; used for springy strip and formed clips where extra room-temperature strength is wanted before a stress-relief. 334 1/4H has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi). 334 1/4H has a density of 7.94 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 78% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,345°C (2,453 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 12.5 W/m·K (7.22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
334 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 334 1/4H; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 334 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
334 1/4H has a density of 7.94 g/cm³ (0.287 lb/in³), heavier than 78% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,345°C (2,453 °F).
Mechanical13
334 1/4H has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
334 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 12.5 W/m·K (7.22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 14.4 µm/m·K (8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
334 1/4H conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 334 1/4H takes about 85 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability6
334 1/4H's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (58/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 334 1/4H
Is 334 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds with no dwell, low-to-moderate speed (~25–40 m/min) and flood sulphochlorinated coolant.
Can 334 be welded?
Weld with GTAW/GMAW using matching 334/330 or Ni-base (ERNiCr-3) filler, low heat input and no preheat; avoid heavy restraint to limit hot cracking and avoid 650–870 °C exposure that embrittles the HAZ.
Can 334 be formed, bent or molded?
Formable hot (1050–1200 °C) or cold, but cold work demands 40–50 % more power than 304 and generous bend radii plus intermediate solution anneals.
What surface finishes work on 334?
Pickle in HNO₃-HF then passivate in nitric acid to remove Ti/Al-rich oxides; polishes to a bright finish, no anodizing applicable, plating rarely used.
334 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 | ≤ 0.08 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| Siaids oxidation resistance | 0.75 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 18 – 20 | 19 |
| Ni | 34 – 37 | 35 |
| Tiscale adherence / carbide stabilisation | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Alimproves oxide adherence | 0.15 – 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Fe | balance | — |
334 1/4H — frequently asked
What is 334 1/4H used for?
334 1/4H is typically used for generator retaining rings, non-magnetic structural parts, high-temperature furnace fixtures, heat-treatment baskets and trays, low-permeability instrument housings and hot ducting and support hardware. In short: non-magnetic retaining ring grade; 1100 °C service capability; specialty, limited availability.
What is the yield strength of 334 1/4H?
334 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is 334 1/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds with no dwell, low-to-moderate speed (~25–40 m/min) and flood sulphochlorinated coolant.
Can 334 1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (58/100). Weld with GTAW/GMAW using matching 334/330 or Ni-base (ERNiCr-3) filler, low heat input and no preheat; avoid heavy restraint to limit hot cracking and avoid 650–870 °C exposure that embrittles the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 334 1/4H?
Pickle in HNO₃-HF then passivate in nitric acid to remove Ti/Al-rich oxides; polishes to a bright finish, no anodizing applicable, plating rarely used.
Can 334 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Formable hot (1050–1200 °C) or cold, but cold work demands 40–50 % more power than 304 and generous bend radii plus intermediate solution anneals.
What is the maximum service temperature of 334 1/4H?
334 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 334 Annealed and 334-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar, tube and fabricated furnace hardware; maximum ductility and best high-temperature stability. CD: choose when tighter tolerance, straighter bar and higher room-temperature strength are needed for machined furnace fixtures and fasteners. Yield strength is 275 MPa in Annealed versus 550 MPa in CD.
Sources
- SAE J405 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Wrought Stainless Steels — SAE International (2013)
- Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS S33400) — SAE/ASTM (2017)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Heat-resisting 19Cr-35Ni alloy (330/334) datasheet — Sandvik / Outokumpu (2020)
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.