Stainless Steel 434 · temper · default condition
Stainless Steel 434 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other 434 tempers.
Default stocked condition: softest, maximum ductility for deep drawing, bending and roll forming.
What is 434 Annealed?
434 Annealed is 434 in the Annealed temper — default stocked condition: softest, maximum ductility for deep drawing, bending and roll forming. 434 Annealed has a yield strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 434 Annealed 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).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 55/100, 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
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.6 % IACS, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
434 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 434 Annealed — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 434 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
434 Annealed 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).
Mechanical14
434 Annealed has a yield strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
434 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °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 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
434 Annealed conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, better than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 434 Annealed takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
434 Annealed's machinability is good (55/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 434 tempers and conditions
434 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 434 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultDefault stocked condition: softest, maximum ductility for deep drawing, bending and roll forming.365 MPa yield · 160 HB
- Cold DrawnBar and wire condition giving tighter tolerances, better surface and higher strength for machined fasteners and shafts.510 MPa yield · 200 HB
Working with 434 Annealed
Is 434 easy to machine?
Machines like 430 (≈55% of AISI 1212): use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed with heavy positive feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can 434 be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded, but keep heat input low and avoid preheat/interpass above ~200 °C; HAZ grain coarsening lowers toughness — use 316L or 430Nb-type filler and post-weld anneal (760–815 °C) where ductility matters.
Can 434 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in the annealed condition for deep drawing and roll forming; springback is lower than austenitics, but plan for possible ridging/roping on drawn faces and avoid tight bends on transverse-oriented cold-worked strip.
What surface finishes work on 434?
Takes a bright mechanical or electropolished finish and is commonly supplied BA for trim; passivate after machining/welding, and use PVD or clear coat rather than anodizing.
434 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 | 0.05 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Mo | 0.75 – 1.25 | 1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
434 Annealed — frequently asked
What is 434 Annealed used for?
434 Annealed is typically used for automotive exterior trim and bright mouldings, solar water heater panels and tanks, appliance panels and fascias, kitchen and catering equipment panels, roofing and cladding sheet in mild chloride exposure and automotive wheel covers and mirror housings. In short: molybdenum-bearing ferritic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 434 Annealed?
434 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 434 Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 95% of stainless steel grades). Machines like 430 (≈55% of AISI 1212): use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed with heavy positive feed and flood coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can 434 Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/resistance welded, but keep heat input low and avoid preheat/interpass above ~200 °C; HAZ grain coarsening lowers toughness — use 316L or 430Nb-type filler and post-weld anneal (760–815 °C) where ductility matters.
What surface finishes work on 434 Annealed?
Takes a bright mechanical or electropolished finish and is commonly supplied BA for trim; passivate after machining/welding, and use PVD or clear coat rather than anodizing.
Can 434 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in the annealed condition for deep drawing and roll forming; springback is lower than austenitics, but plan for possible ridging/roping on drawn faces and avoid tight bends on transverse-oriented cold-worked strip.
What is the maximum service temperature of 434 Annealed?
434 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 434 Annealed and 434 HRAP?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition: softest, maximum ductility for deep drawing, bending and roll forming. HRAP: heavier gauge plate and coil for weldments and non-cosmetic structural or lining use. Yield strength is 365 MPa in Annealed versus 340 MPa in HRAP.
Can FabDigit make parts in 434 Annealed?
Yes — 434 Annealed is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A176 — Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Ferritic stainless steel grade datasheets (17Cr-1Mo / 434) — Outokumpu / AK Steel (Cleveland-Cliffs) (2021)
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.