Stainless Steel 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn vs 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed
Stainless Steel · 20Cb-3 temper comparison
20Cb-3 Cold Drawn and 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 20Cb-3: Cold Drawn versus Solution Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed, about 80% more; tensile strength follows at 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 42% versus 22% for 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn, and 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn is harder (240 HB vs 160 HB).
20Cb-3 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
20Cb-3 Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
20Cb-3 Cold Drawn vs 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed: 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.
20Cb-3 Cold Drawn20Cb-3 Solution Annealed
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 74 GPa10.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 161 GPa23.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Shear Strength 400 MPa58 ksi · Hardness, Vickers 170 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.08 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,445°C2,633 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.8 µm/m·K8.2 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 500°C932 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.08×10⁻⁶ Ω·m42.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability 33 / 100 · Weldability 75 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 110 MJ/kg47,292 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
20Cb-3 Cold Drawn vs 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed — frequently asked
Is 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn stronger than 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed?
Yes. 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 345 MPa (50 ksi) for 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed — about 80% more. Tensile strength is 790 MPa (115 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Solution Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 20Cb-3 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.
When should I choose 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn over 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed?
Pick 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn when strength drives the design. Pick 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 20Cb-3 Cold Drawn and 20Cb-3 Solution Annealed 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.
