Stainless Steel 154CM Annealed vs 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC
Stainless Steel · 154CM temper comparison
154CM Annealed and 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 154CM: Annealed versus Q&T 55-57 HRC (hardened & tempered to 55–57 HRC). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for 154CM Annealed, about 3.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 154CM Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 2% for 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC, and 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC is harder (613 HV vs 245 HV). 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC runs hotter in service (450°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, 154CM Annealed machines more easily (poor vs not recommended).
154CM AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
154CM Q&T 55-57 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
154CM Annealed vs 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel 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 stainless steel 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.
154CM Annealed154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 204 GPa29.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Reduction in Area 25% · Hardness, Brinell 235 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,455°C2,651 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.2 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -70°C-94 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 35% · Weldability 15 / 100 · Formability (cold) 22 / 100 · Castability 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 82 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
154CM Annealed vs 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC — frequently asked
Is 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC stronger than 154CM Annealed?
Yes. 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for 154CM Annealed — about 3.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Q&T 55-57 HRC?
Annealed is the default 154CM condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, 154CM Annealed or 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC?
154CM Annealed. Its machinability rates poor (33/100) against not recommended (6/100) for 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 154CM Annealed and 154CM Q&T 55-57 HRC 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.