Stainless Steel 442 1/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 442 · UNS S44200
1/4H = quarter hard
Occasional strip condition for stiffer flat parts that need only mild bending after rolling.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other 442 tempers and conditions
442 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 442.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved after welding/forming (~750–800 °C) | Applied to welded furnace assemblies to restore ductility and reduce residual stress; avoid slow cooling through 400–550 °C. | 300 | 535 | 24 | 170 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault mill annealed (softened) condition | Default stock condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum ductility and best oxidation performance for furnace parts. | 310 | 550 | 25 | 175 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. | 480 | 650 | 15 | 210 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Occasional strip condition for stiffer flat parts that need only mild bending after rolling. | 520 | 690 | 10 | 220 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
What is 442 1/4H?
442 1/4H is 442 supplied in the 1/4H condition — occasional strip condition for stiffer flat parts that need only mild bending after rolling. 442 1/4H has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 442 1/4H 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; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 520 MPa (75.4 ksi), better than 79% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 40/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
442 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 442 1/4H; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 442 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
442 1/4H 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).
Mechanical13
442 1/4H has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
442 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
442 1/4H conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (54/100), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 442 1/4H takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
442 1/4H's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 442 1/4H
Is 442 easy to machine?
Machines like 430 at ~55 % of AISI 1212: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and generous coolant to avoid work-hardened skin and built-up edge.
Can 442 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 309/430Nb-type or Ni-base filler, but keep heat input low, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections and post-weld anneal ~760–800 °C to counter HAZ grain coarsening and 475 °C embrittlement.
Can 442 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms adequately in mild bends and shallow draws with generous bend radii (≥2t) and warm forming for severe shapes; anneal at 760–830 °C and air cool — do not expect austenitic-grade stretch.
What surface finishes work on 442?
Finish by pickling/passivation, electropolishing or mechanical polishing; not anodisable — for high-temperature parts a controlled pre-oxidation gives a stable adherent Cr₂O₃ scale.
442 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per ASTM A176/A240 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Crhigh Cr gives the improved scaling resistance | 18 – 23 | 20.5 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| N | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
442 1/4H — frequently asked
What is 442 1/4H used for?
442 1/4H is typically used for furnace parts, heat-treating fixtures and high-temperature exhaust components. In short: highest-temperature 4xx ferritic; nickel-free scaling resistance; limited weldability.
What is the yield strength of 442 1/4H?
442 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 79% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 442 1/4H easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades). Machines like 430 at ~55 % of AISI 1212: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and generous coolant to avoid work-hardened skin and built-up edge.
Can 442 1/4H be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 309/430Nb-type or Ni-base filler, but keep heat input low, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections and post-weld anneal ~760–800 °C to counter HAZ grain coarsening and 475 °C embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on 442 1/4H?
Finish by pickling/passivation, electropolishing or mechanical polishing; not anodisable — for high-temperature parts a controlled pre-oxidation gives a stable adherent Cr₂O₃ scale.
Can 442 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms adequately in mild bends and shallow draws with generous bend radii (≥2t) and warm forming for severe shapes; anneal at 760–830 °C and air cool — do not expect austenitic-grade stretch.
What is the maximum service temperature of 442 1/4H?
442 1/4H 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 442 Annealed and 442-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum ductility and best oxidation performance for furnace parts. CD: use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. Yield strength is 310 MPa in Annealed versus 480 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A176 — Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10095 — Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys (incl. 1.4742) — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing, and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
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.