Stainless Steel 204-CD vs 204-FH
Stainless Steel · 204 temper comparison
204-CD and 204-FH are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 204: CD (cold drawn) versus FH (full hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 204-FH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 204-CD, about 53% more; tensile strength follows at 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, 204-CD is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 5% for 204-FH, and 204-FH is harder (390 HB vs 260 HB). 204-CD runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 204-CD welds better (good vs fair).
204-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
204-FHChoose it when strength drives the design.
204-CD vs 204-FH: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 197 GPa28.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 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: Castability 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 48 MJ/kg20,636 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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.
204-CD vs 204-FH — frequently asked
Is 204-FH stronger than 204-CD?
Yes. 204-FH has a typical yield strength of 1,070 MPa (155 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 204-CD — about 53% more. Tensile strength is 1,320 MPa (191 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or FH?
ANN is the default 204 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor FH). 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 welds better, 204-CD or 204-FH?
204-CD. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for 204-FH.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 204-CD and 204-FH 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.