Stainless Steel Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard
Supply condition
UNS S24100
1/4 Hard = quarter hard
Light cold-rolled temper for parts needing extra strength while still allowing moderate bending.
Values for the 1/4 Hard condition
Other Nitronic 32 tempers and conditions
Nitronic 32 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Nitronic 32.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed ~1065 °C, water quenched | Standard stocked condition for sheet, plate and bar; best ductility, corrosion resistance and formability. | 415 | 830 | 48 | 220 HB | — |
1/4 HardThis page Quarter hard | Light cold-rolled temper for parts needing extra strength while still allowing moderate bending. | 690 | 965 | 25 | 30 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
annealed then cold drawn bar/wire (light draft) | Choose for straight, close-tolerance bar with a strength bump over annealed; typical for shafts and fasteners. | 760 | 1,000 | 25 | 31 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Half hard | Mid cold-rolled temper for stamped structural parts, clamps and springy brackets. | 860 | 1,105 | 18 | 34 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | High-strength strip temper for flat springs, shims and wear strips with only gentle forming. | 1,035 | 1,240 | 12 | 38 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
heavily cold rolled strip/sheet | Maximum as-rolled strength and wear resistance; essentially flat-form only, very limited bending. | 1,210 | 1,380 | 8 | 42 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
What is Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard?
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard is Nitronic 32 supplied in the 1/4 Hard condition — light cold-rolled temper for parts needing extra strength while still allowing moderate bending. Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4 Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 690 MPa (100 ksi), better than 92% of stainless steel grades
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Nitronic 32 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical13
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.5 µm/m·K (8.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard conducts electricity at 2.3 % IACS, better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (54/100), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard's machinability is poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard
Is Nitronic 32 easy to machine?
Treat like a high-work-hardening austenitic: rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feeds, slow speeds (~60–70 % of 304) and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can Nitronic 32 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW without preheat or post-weld heat treatment; use over-alloyed austenitic filler such as 209, 240 or 308L/309L and keep interpass temperature low.
Can Nitronic 32 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but needs ~2× the press load of 304 and generous bend radii with springback allowance; hot work 1150–1230 °C and finish above ~950 °C, then solution anneal ~1040–1090 °C and quench.
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 32?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for best corrosion performance; polishes to a bright finish, and hard chrome or nitriding can be added for extreme wear duty.
Nitronic 32 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 | 0.06 |
| Mnprimary austenite stabiliser replacing Ni | 11 – 14 | 12 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 16.5 – 19 | 17.75 |
| Ni | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Nsolid-solution strengthener | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard — frequently asked
What is Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard used for?
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard is typically used for fasteners, structural components, cryogenic equipment and high-strength tie rods. In short: low-nickel 300-series substitute; double 304 yield strength; corrosion below 304.
What is the yield strength of Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard?
Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades). Treat like a high-work-hardening austenitic: rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feeds, slow speeds (~60–70 % of 304) and flood coolant to avoid glazing.
Can Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW without preheat or post-weld heat treatment; use over-alloyed austenitic filler such as 209, 240 or 308L/309L and keep interpass temperature low.
What surface finishes work on Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard?
Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish for best corrosion performance; polishes to a bright finish, and hard chrome or nitriding can be added for extreme wear duty.
Can Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but needs ~2× the press load of 304 and generous bend radii with springback allowance; hot work 1150–1230 °C and finish above ~950 °C, then solution anneal ~1040–1090 °C and quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of Nitronic 32-1/4 Hard?
Nitronic 32-1/4 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.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (UNS S24100) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- Nitronic 32 (S24100) high-manganese austenitic stainless alloy data — Armco/AK Steel — Nitronic alloy series (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- UNS S24100 alloy property summary — SAE/ASTM Unified Numbering System (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.