Stainless Steel S21460 1/4H
Supply condition
UNS S21460 · AISI/SAE XM-14
1/4H = quarter hard
Light temper rolling — added strength while retaining enough ductility for bending and moderate forming.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other S21460 tempers and conditions
S21460 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at S21460.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Default stocked condition for bar, plate and wire — maximum ductility, best corrosion resistance and lowest permeability. | 450 | 830 | 45 | 210 HB | — |
1/4HThis page Quarter hard | Light temper rolling — added strength while retaining enough ductility for bending and moderate forming. | 620 | 930 | 25 | 25 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold drawn / cold finished bar | Choose for high-strength shafting and machined structural parts where the extra ~50% yield strength and tighter tolerances of cold drawing are wanted. | 725 | 1,000 | 20 | 26 HRC | — |
Cold worked fastener wire / cold-headed bolt condition | Cold-drawn wire for cold-headed high-strength non-magnetic bolts and screws — the main commercial use of XM-14. | 760 | 1,030 | 18 | 28 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Half hard | Springy sheet temper for brackets, clips and structural panels needing ~800 MPa yield. | 830 | 1,080 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | High-strength temper for flat springs and shims; only simple, generous-radius bends are possible. | 1,000 | 1,240 | 8 | 37 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and wear-facing shims; essentially no formability and slight ferromagnetic response possible. | 1,170 | 1,380 | 5 | 41 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
What is S21460 1/4H?
S21460 1/4H is S21460 supplied in the 1/4H condition — light temper rolling — added strength while retaining enough ductility for bending and moderate forming. S21460 1/4H has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). S21460 1/4H has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 51/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 50/100, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
S21460 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for S21460 1/4H; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S21460 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S21460 1/4H has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,375°C (2,507 °F).
Mechanical15
S21460 1/4H has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
S21460 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °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 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S21460 1/4H conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 72% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (51/100), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S21460 1/4H takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
S21460 1/4H's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S21460 1/4H
Is S21460 easy to machine?
Treat like Nitronic-type alloys: rigid setups, 30–50% of 304 surface speeds, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant to avoid work-hardened glazing.
Can S21460 be welded?
GTAW/GMAW with over-alloyed high-Mn or 309L-type filler, low heat input, no preheat, argon shielding without hydrogen; watch nitrogen porosity and hot cracking, and post-weld pickle/passivate.
Can S21460 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but flow stress and springback are roughly double 304 — size presses ~1.8×, use generous radii, and intermediate anneal at 1040–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on S21460?
Not anodizable; finish by mechanical polishing, electropolishing or nitric/citric passivation (ASTM A967); electroplating requires an activated Wood's nickel strike.
S21460 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 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Mn | 14 – 16 | 15 |
| Si | 0.3 – 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 17 – 18.5 | 17.8 |
| Niadded vs S21400 for cryogenic toughness | 5 – 6 | 5.5 |
| Nprimary solid-solution strengthener | 0.35 – 0.5 | 0.42 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S21460 1/4H — frequently asked
What is S21460 1/4H used for?
S21460 1/4H is typically used for fasteners, structural hardware and non-magnetic components. In short: nitrogen-strengthened 200-series; higher strength than 304; non-magnetic fastener bar.
What is the yield strength of S21460 1/4H?
S21460 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is S21460 1/4H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades). Treat like Nitronic-type alloys: rigid setups, 30–50% of 304 surface speeds, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy constant feed and flood coolant to avoid work-hardened glazing.
Can S21460 1/4H be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). GTAW/GMAW with over-alloyed high-Mn or 309L-type filler, low heat input, no preheat, argon shielding without hydrogen; watch nitrogen porosity and hot cracking, and post-weld pickle/passivate.
What surface finishes work on S21460 1/4H?
Not anodizable; finish by mechanical polishing, electropolishing or nitric/citric passivation (ASTM A967); electroplating requires an activated Wood's nickel strike.
Can S21460 1/4H be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms well but flow stress and springback are roughly double 304 — size presses ~1.8×, use generous radii, and intermediate anneal at 1040–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of S21460 1/4H?
S21460 1/4H is rated for continuous use to about 480°C (896 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S21460-A and S21460-FH?
A is the default condition — default stocked condition for bar, plate and wire — maximum ductility, best corrosion resistance and lowest permeability. FH: maximum cold-worked strength for spring strip and wear-facing shims; essentially no formability and slight ferromagnetic response possible. Yield strength is 450 MPa in A versus 1,170 MPa in FH.
Sources
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A493 — Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rod for Cold Heading and Cold Forging — ASTM International (2021)
- SAE J1086 / Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS S21460) — SAE International / ASTM (2017)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.