Stainless Steel S41041 Q&T (Quenched and tempered)
Heat-treated state
UNS S41041
Pick when moderate strength and wear resistance are wanted; the very low carbon caps attainable hardness near 25 HRC.
Values for the Q&T condition
Other S41041 tempers and conditions
S41041 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at S41041.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault mill annealed (softened) sheet, coil, strip and plate | Standard stocked condition for exhaust tubing, stampings and general fabrication; maximum ductility and best weldability. | 280 | 450 | 30 | 150 HB | — |
As-welded deposit | Relevant for HF/laser-welded exhaust tube used straight from the mill; Nb/Ti stabilization keeps HAZ ductile enough for bending and hydroforming. | 330 | 490 | 20 | 21 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use when higher springback-resisting strength and stiffness are needed in flat parts with only mild bending. | 500 | 620 | 12 | 16 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Q&TThis page Quenched and tempered | Pick when moderate strength and wear resistance are wanted; the very low carbon caps attainable hardness near 25 HRC. | 590 | 760 | 18 | 24 HRC | — |
What is S41041 Q&T?
S41041 Q&T is S41041 heat treated to Q&T — pick when moderate strength and wear resistance are wanted; the very low carbon caps attainable hardness near 25 HRC. S41041 Q&T has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S41041 Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 590 MPa (85.6 ksi), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
S41041 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for S41041 Q&T; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S41041 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S41041 Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F).
Mechanical15
S41041 Q&T has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S41041 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S41041 Q&T conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S41041 Q&T takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
S41041 Q&T's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S41041 Q&T
Is S41041 easy to machine?
Machines like annealed 410 (≈55 % of 1212): use sharp, rigid tooling, positive rake carbide, moderate speed and heavy feed to avoid work-hardened glazing and built-up edge.
Can S41041 be welded?
Very good for a 12Cr martensitic type — Nb/Ti stabilization plus <0.03 % C keeps HAZ hardness low, so thin sheet is normally welded (GTAW/HF/laser) with no preheat or post-weld anneal; use 409Nb/430Nb or 309L filler for thick sections.
Can S41041 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms, roll-forms and hydroforms better than standard 410 but with more springback and less deep-drawability than austenitic 304; hot work 1100–800 °C followed by slow cooling and an annealing cycle.
What surface finishes work on S41041?
Pickle and passivate after welding to restore the Cr oxide film; takes a bright mechanical polish, and is commonly aluminized or painted for exhaust and appearance parts. Not anodizable.
S41041 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon modification of 410 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 10.5 – 12.5 | 11.5 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Tistabilizer; Ti and/or Nb added at roughly 8×(C+N) minimum | ≤ 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Nbstabilizer, alternative or additive to Ti | ≤ 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S41041 Q&T — frequently asked
What is S41041 Q&T used for?
S41041 Q&T is typically used for automotive exhaust flanges, exhaust manifolds, muffler components and catalytic converter shells. In short: most weldable 12Cr martensitic; stabilized exhaust-grade sheet; 650 °C service capability.
What is the yield strength of S41041 Q&T?
S41041 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 86% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is S41041 Q&T easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades). Machines like annealed 410 (≈55 % of 1212): use sharp, rigid tooling, positive rake carbide, moderate speed and heavy feed to avoid work-hardened glazing and built-up edge.
Can S41041 Q&T be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Very good for a 12Cr martensitic type — Nb/Ti stabilization plus <0.03 % C keeps HAZ hardness low, so thin sheet is normally welded (GTAW/HF/laser) with no preheat or post-weld anneal; use 409Nb/430Nb or 309L filler for thick sections.
What surface finishes work on S41041 Q&T?
Pickle and passivate after welding to restore the Cr oxide film; takes a bright mechanical polish, and is commonly aluminized or painted for exhaust and appearance parts. Not anodizable.
Can S41041 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms, roll-forms and hydroforms better than standard 410 but with more springback and less deep-drawability than austenitic 304; hot work 1100–800 °C followed by slow cooling and an annealing cycle.
What is the maximum service temperature of S41041 Q&T?
S41041 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 650°C (1,202 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S41041 Annealed and S41041-AW?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for exhaust tubing, stampings and general fabrication; maximum ductility and best weldability. AW: relevant for HF/laser-welded exhaust tube used straight from the mill; Nb/Ti stabilization keeps HAZ ductile enough for bending and hydroforming. Yield strength is 280 MPa in Annealed versus 330 MPa in AW.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A268/A268M — Seamless and Welded Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing — ASTM International (2022)
- Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System (UNS), S41041 — SAE International / ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 12 % Cr stabilized stainless sheet for automotive exhaust (410-modified) datasheet — stainless producer (2022)
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.