Nickel Alloy Alloy 45TM-AW vs Alloy 45TM-CD
Nickel Alloy · Alloy 45TM temper comparison
Alloy 45TM-AW and Alloy 45TM-CD are two conditions of the same nickel alloy grade, Alloy 45TM: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 45TM-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for Alloy 45TM-AW, about 50% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 45TM-AW is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for Alloy 45TM-CD, and Alloy 45TM-CD is harder (245 HB vs 195 HB). Alloy 45TM-AW runs hotter in service (1,050°C vs 500°C continuous).
Alloy 45TM-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 45TM-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 45TM-AW vs Alloy 45TM-CD: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all nickel alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 75 GPa10.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 162 GPa23.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 35%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.6 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,360°C2,480 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13.9 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100 · Polishability 62 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 11.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every nickel alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Alloy 45TM-AW vs Alloy 45TM-CD — frequently asked
Is Alloy 45TM-CD stronger than Alloy 45TM-AW?
Yes. Alloy 45TM-CD has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for Alloy 45TM-AW — about 50% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CD?
SA is the default Alloy 45TM condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW nor CD). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, Alloy 45TM-AW or Alloy 45TM-CD?
Alloy 45TM-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for Alloy 45TM-AW; for welding the order is Alloy 45TM-AW first (good, 55/100) then Alloy 45TM-CD (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 45TM-AW and Alloy 45TM-CD side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.