Stainless Steel 302HQ · temper
Stainless Steel 302HQ Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other 302HQ tempers.
Choose for the most severe multi-station cold heading, deep recessed heads and thread rolling where maximum ductility is needed.
What is 302HQ Annealed?
302HQ Annealed is 302HQ in the Annealed temper — choose for the most severe multi-station cold heading, deep recessed heads and thread rolling where maximum ductility is needed. 302HQ Annealed has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi). 302HQ Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,398°C (2,548 °F). Cold Drawn is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
302HQ Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 302HQ Annealed — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 302HQ temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
302HQ Annealed has a density of 7.9 g/cm³ (0.285 lb/in³), heavier than 67% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,398°C (2,548 °F).
Mechanical14
302HQ Annealed has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 193 GPa (28 Msi).
Thermal6
302HQ Annealed is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 17.3 µm/m·K (9.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
302HQ Annealed conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (65/100), better than 55% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 302HQ Annealed takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
302HQ Annealed's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability excellent (98/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 302HQ tempers and conditions
302HQ is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 302HQ overview.
- Cold DrawnDefaultDefault stock condition: cold-drawn coil/bar with higher strength and good surface, still headable for moderate upsets.400 MPa yield · 185 HB
- AnnealedChoose for the most severe multi-station cold heading, deep recessed heads and thread rolling where maximum ductility is needed.230 MPa yield · 140 HB
Working with 302HQ Annealed
Is 302HQ easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening like 304 (≈45 % of AISI 1212): use positive rake carbide, rigid setups, heavy flood coolant and avoid dwelling; not a free-machining grade.
Can 302HQ be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler, but the Cu-bearing, near-zero-ferrite weld metal is hot-crack sensitive — keep heat input low and avoid autogenous welds on restrained joints.
Can 302HQ be formed, bent or molded?
Best-in-class cold headability among 18-8 grades: multi-station heading, deep recess punching and thread rolling in the annealed condition with chlorinated or synthetic heading lube.
What surface finishes work on 302HQ?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after forming; electropolish or barrel-polish for bright fasteners; not anodizable and Cu smut must be pickled off before plating.
302HQ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.08 max in some wire specs | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.2 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 8 – 10 | 9.2 |
| Cukey addition: lowers work-hardening rate for cold heading | 3 – 4 | 3.4 |
| Fe | balance | — |
302HQ Annealed — frequently asked
What is 302HQ Annealed used for?
302HQ Annealed is typically used for fasteners, screws and rivets. In short: cold-heading fastener stainless.
What is the yield strength of 302HQ Annealed?
302HQ Annealed has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 99% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 302HQ Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening like 304 (≈45 % of AISI 1212): use positive rake carbide, rigid setups, heavy flood coolant and avoid dwelling; not a free-machining grade.
Can 302HQ Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Weldable by GTAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler, but the Cu-bearing, near-zero-ferrite weld metal is hot-crack sensitive — keep heat input low and avoid autogenous welds on restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on 302HQ Annealed?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after forming; electropolish or barrel-polish for bright fasteners; not anodizable and Cu smut must be pickled off before plating.
Can 302HQ Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Best-in-class cold headability among 18-8 grades: multi-station heading, deep recess punching and thread rolling in the annealed condition with chlorinated or synthetic heading lube.
What is the maximum service temperature of 302HQ Annealed?
302HQ Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 302HQ Annealed?
Yes — 302HQ Annealed is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A493 — Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Rods for Cold Heading and Cold Forging — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A276 / A493 chemistry for UNS S30430 (XM-7) — ASTM International (2023)
- SAE J405 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Wrought Stainless Steels — SAE International (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Cold-heading quality stainless wire grade 302HQ / S30430 data sheet — stainless wire producers (e.g. Sandvik / Suzuki Garphyttan class data) (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.