Stainless Steel 416 · hardness band
Stainless Steel 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 22-26 HRC condition, compared with the other 416 tempers.
Use when impact toughness and reduced hydrogen/stress-corrosion sensitivity matter more than hardness (valve trim, pump shafts).
What is 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC?
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC is 416 heat treated to Q&T 22-26 HRC — use when impact toughness and reduced hydrogen/stress-corrosion sensitivity matter more than hardness (valve trim, pump shafts). 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 22-26 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24.9 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 20%, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 416 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical13
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 24.9 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 9.9 µm/m·K (5.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 416 tempers and conditions
416 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 416 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for free-machining bar; softest, most machinable, to be hardened after roughing if strength is needed.275 MPa yield · 155 HB
- Q&T 38-44 HRCMaximum-hardness condition for wear surfaces, screws and firearm parts; low toughness, notch-sensitive and least corrosion resistant.1,080 MPa yield · 41 HRC
- Q&T 32-38 HRCHigher-strength condition for gears, cams and fasteners; tempering in this range gives lower toughness and reduced corrosion resistance.930 MPa yield · 35 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedGeneral-purpose strengthened condition for shafts, valve stems and fasteners needing ~28–32 HRC with reasonable toughness.700 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- Q&T 22-26 HRCUse when impact toughness and reduced hydrogen/stress-corrosion sensitivity matter more than hardness (valve trim, pump shafts).620 MPa yield · 24 HRC
- Annealed Cold DrawnPick for tight-tolerance turned parts where moderate strength and good surface finish are needed without heat treatment.550 MPa yield · 200 HB
Working with 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC
Is 416 easy to machine?
Best-machining stainless: run 20–30 % faster than 304, sharp positive-rake carbide, good chip control and long tool life; harden after roughing and leave grinding stock.
Can 416 be welded?
Not recommended — sulfur promotes hot cracking; if unavoidable use 309/312 filler, preheat 200–300 °C and post-weld temper 650–700 °C.
Can 416 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability (sulfide stringers cause splitting); hot work 1150–800 °C then slow cool or anneal, bend radii ≥ 2t only in annealed bar.
What surface finishes work on 416?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining to restore film; plating, black oxide or hard chrome common; sulfide inclusions limit true mirror polish.
416 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.15 max per UNS S41600 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Cr | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.25 | 0.8 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Sdeliberate free-machining addition; 0.15 % min | ≥ 0.15 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Nioptional/residual; some standards allow up to 0.5–1.0 % | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mooptional, at producer's discretion | ≤ 0.6 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC — frequently asked
What is 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC used for?
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC is typically used for CNC machined fasteners, pump shafts, valve stems, gears and pinions, firearm components and screw-machine studs and couplings. In short: easy-machining magnetic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC?
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 790 MPa (115 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades). Best-machining stainless: run 20–30 % faster than 304, sharp positive-rake carbide, good chip control and long tool life; harden after roughing and leave grinding stock.
Can 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Not recommended — sulfur promotes hot cracking; if unavoidable use 309/312 filler, preheat 200–300 °C and post-weld temper 650–700 °C.
What surface finishes work on 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining to restore film; plating, black oxide or hard chrome common; sulfide inclusions limit true mirror polish.
Can 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability (sulfide stringers cause splitting); hot work 1150–800 °C then slow cool or anneal, bend radii ≥ 2t only in annealed bar.
What is the maximum service temperature of 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC?
416 Q&T 22-26 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC?
Yes — 416 Q&T 22-26 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A582/A582M — Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars — ASTM (2021)
- EN 10088-3 (X12CrS13, 1.4005) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 (Y1Cr13/1Cr13S) — SAC (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- 416/1.4005 free-machining martensitic stainless bar datasheets — Sandvik / Outokumpu / Ugitech (2023)
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.