Stainless Steel 414-H (Hardened)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 414 · UNS S41400
Maximum strength and hardness condition for shafts, valve trim, cutlery and wear parts; low toughness and no service above ~400 °C.
Values for the H condition
Other 414 tempers and conditions
414 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 414.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocked bar/wire condition for machining and forming before hardening. | 620 | 795 | 20 | 22 HRC | — |
Condition T | Balanced strength-toughness condition for pump shafts, bolting and steam/turbine parts needing impact resistance and service to ~550 °C. | 690 | 895 | 20 | 27 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Pick for straight, close-tolerance shafting and cold-headed parts where moderate extra strength and better surface finish are wanted without heat treating. | 760 | 930 | 13 | 29 HRC | — |
HThis page Hardened | Maximum strength and hardness condition for shafts, valve trim, cutlery and wear parts; low toughness and no service above ~400 °C. | 1,035 | 1,345 | 15 | 42 HRC | — |
What is 414-H?
414-H is 414 heat treated to H — maximum strength and hardness condition for shafts, valve trim, cutlery and wear parts; low toughness and no service above ~400 °C. 414-H has a yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,345 MPa (195 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 414-H has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,035 MPa (150 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
414-H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 414-H; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 414 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
414-H has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical17
414-H has a yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,345 MPa (195 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
414-H is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
414-H conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 85% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 414-H takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
414-H's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 414-H
Is 414 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds and flood coolant; hardened Condition H needs CBN/ceramic or grinding.
Can 414 be welded?
Preheat 200–300 °C, use 410/410NiMo filler or austenitic 309, and temper immediately after welding to restore toughness; avoid welding in the hardened condition.
Can 414 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in the annealed state with generous bend radii (≥2t); hot work 1150–900 °C and cool slowly to avoid quench cracking, then anneal.
What surface finishes work on 414?
Takes a fine mechanical polish; hard chrome or nitriding for wear; always passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) after machining — do not anodize.
414 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 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 11.5 – 13.5 | 12.5 |
| Niraises hardenability and toughness vs 410 | 1.25 – 2.5 | 1.9 |
| Fe | balance | — |
414-H — frequently asked
What is 414-H used for?
414-H is typically used for springs, fasteners and structural fittings. In short: higher-strength 410; nickel-toughened martensitic; spring and fastener grade.
What is the yield strength of 414-H?
414-H has a typical yield strength of 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,345 MPa (195 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 414-H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds and flood coolant; hardened Condition H needs CBN/ceramic or grinding.
Can 414-H be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Preheat 200–300 °C, use 410/410NiMo filler or austenitic 309, and temper immediately after welding to restore toughness; avoid welding in the hardened condition.
What surface finishes work on 414-H?
Takes a fine mechanical polish; hard chrome or nitriding for wear; always passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) after machining — do not anodize.
Can 414-H be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in the annealed state with generous bend radii (≥2t); hot work 1150–900 °C and cool slowly to avoid quench cracking, then anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 414-H?
414-H 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 414-A and 414-H?
A is the default condition — standard stocked bar/wire condition for machining and forming before hardening. H: maximum strength and hardness condition for shafts, valve trim, cutlery and wear parts; low toughness and no service above ~400 °C. Yield strength is 620 MPa in A versus 1,035 MPa in H.
Sources
- ASTM A276/A276M Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A580/A580M Stainless Steel Wire — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- ASTM A967 Passivation Treatments for Stainless Steel Parts — ASTM International (2017)
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.