Stainless Steel 430-1/4 Hard
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 430 · UNS S43000 · EN 1.4016, X6Cr17 · JIS SUS430 · GB 1Cr17, 10Cr17
1/4 Hard = quarter hard
Light cold work for extra stiffness in flat parts while retaining some bendability.
Values for the 1/4 Hard condition
Other 430 tempers and conditions
430 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 430.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault sheet/plate/bar, softened 780–830 °C | Default stocked condition: maximum ductility for forming, bending and welding. | 310 | 500 | 30 | 155 HB | — |
1/4 HardThis page Quarter hard | Light cold work for extra stiffness in flat parts while retaining some bendability. | 470 | 620 | 12 | 14 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-finished bar for shafts, fasteners and machined parts needing tighter tolerance and higher strength. | 480 | 585 | 20 | 10 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Half hard | Use for flat springs, clips and stiff panels where only gentle forming is required. | 590 | 720 | 6 | 24 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
heavily cold rolled strip | Maximum as-rolled strength/stiffness for blanked flat parts; essentially not formable and prone to edge cracking. | 700 | 820 | 3 | 29 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
What is 430-1/4 Hard?
430-1/4 Hard is 430 supplied in the 1/4 Hard condition — light cold work for extra stiffness in flat parts while retaining some bendability. 430-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 74% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 430-1/4 Hard has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 48 MPa·√m (43.7 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 76% of stainless steel grades
430-1/4 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 430-1/4 Hard; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 430 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
430-1/4 Hard has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
430-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 74% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
430-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
430-1/4 Hard conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 76% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 430-1/4 Hard takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
430-1/4 Hard's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 430-1/4 Hard
Is 430 easy to machine?
Machines more freely than 304 (≈54 % of 1212) with less gumming; use sharp carbide, positive rake, rigid setups and flood coolant — for heavy turning specify free-machining 430F instead.
Can 430 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance in thin gauges; keep heat input low, avoid preheat above ~200 °C, use 430/309L filler and post-weld anneal 760–815 °C on thicker sections to restore ductility.
Can 430 be formed, bent or molded?
Good for bending, roll forming and shallow drawing; springback and ridging (roping) are higher than 304 and severe deep draws should be redirected to 304 or a stabilised ferritic (439/441).
What surface finishes work on 430?
Polishes and buffs to bright trim quality and takes PVD/paint well; passivate after machining or welding and avoid iron contamination and chloride-bearing cleaners to prevent rust staining.
430 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 ≤0.12; EN 1.4016 ≤0.08 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.05 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| SEN 1.4016 ≤0.015 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Niresidual only (ASTM A240) | ≤ 0.75 | 0.3 |
| NEN 10088 limit | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
430-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
What is 430-1/4 Hard used for?
430-1/4 Hard is typically used for refrigerator and appliance panels, automotive trim strips, kitchenware and sinks, dishwasher and oven interiors, heat exchanger components and furnace fixtures and baffles. In short: economical magnetic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 430-1/4 Hard?
430-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 74% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 430-1/4 Hard easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades). Machines more freely than 304 (≈54 % of 1212) with less gumming; use sharp carbide, positive rake, rigid setups and flood coolant — for heavy turning specify free-machining 430F instead.
Can 430-1/4 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance in thin gauges; keep heat input low, avoid preheat above ~200 °C, use 430/309L filler and post-weld anneal 760–815 °C on thicker sections to restore ductility.
What surface finishes work on 430-1/4 Hard?
Polishes and buffs to bright trim quality and takes PVD/paint well; passivate after machining or welding and avoid iron contamination and chloride-bearing cleaners to prevent rust staining.
Can 430-1/4 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Good for bending, roll forming and shallow drawing; springback and ridging (roping) are higher than 304 and severe deep draws should be redirected to 304 or a stabilised ferritic (439/441).
What is the maximum service temperature of 430-1/4 Hard?
430-1/4 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.
What is the difference between 430 Annealed and 430-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition: maximum ductility for forming, bending and welding. CD: cold-finished bar for shafts, fasteners and machined parts needing tighter tolerance and higher strength. Yield strength is 310 MPa in Annealed versus 480 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 430-1/4 Hard?
Yes — 430-1/4 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 — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1/-2 — Stainless steels: grades and technical delivery conditions (1.4016) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 3280 / GB/T 20878 (1Cr17, 10Cr17) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Outokumpu Stainless Steel Handbook / 4016 datasheet — Outokumpu (2020)
- AK Steel / Cleveland-Cliffs 430 Stainless Steel Data Sheet — Cleveland-Cliffs (2021)
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.