Nickel Alloy Alloy 602 CA-AW vs Alloy 602 CA-CD
Nickel Alloy · Alloy 602 CA temper comparison
Alloy 602 CA-AW and Alloy 602 CA-CD are two conditions of the same nickel alloy grade, Alloy 602 CA: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 602 CA-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) for Alloy 602 CA-AW, about 79% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 602 CA-AW is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 20% for Alloy 602 CA-CD, and Alloy 602 CA-CD is harder (260 HB vs 195 HB). Alloy 602 CA-AW runs hotter in service (1,200°C vs 600°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 602 CA-AW welds better (good vs fair).
Alloy 602 CA-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 602 CA-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 602 CA-AW vs Alloy 602 CA-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.
Alloy 602 CA-AWAlloy 602 CA-CD
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 217 GPa31.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 181 GPa26.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 35%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,340°C2,444 °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 10.4 W/m·K6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 290 J/g125 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.23×10⁻⁶ Ω·m48.4 µΩ·in
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 60 / 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 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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 602 CA-AW vs Alloy 602 CA-CD — frequently asked
Is Alloy 602 CA-CD stronger than Alloy 602 CA-AW?
Yes. Alloy 602 CA-CD has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) for Alloy 602 CA-AW — about 79% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CD?
SA is the default Alloy 602 CA 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 602 CA-AW or Alloy 602 CA-CD?
Alloy 602 CA-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 22/100 against 16/100 for Alloy 602 CA-AW; for welding the order is Alloy 602 CA-AW first (good, 60/100) then Alloy 602 CA-CD (fair, 50/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 602 CA-AW and Alloy 602 CA-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.