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Stainless Steel 2101 Cold Drawn vs 2101 Cold Worked

Stainless Steel · 2101 temper comparison

2101 Cold Drawn and 2101 Cold Worked are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 2101: Cold Drawn versus Cold Worked. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 2101 Cold Worked is the stronger of the two: yield strength 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 2101 Cold Drawn, about 14% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 870 MPa (126 ksi). In exchange, 2101 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 12% for 2101 Cold Worked, and 2101 Cold Worked is harder (310 HB vs 275 HB). 2101 Cold Drawn runs hotter in service (300°C vs 250°C continuous).

2101 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

2101 Cold WorkedChoose it when strength drives the design.

2101 Cold Drawn vs 2101 Cold Worked: properties

2101 Cold Drawn2101 Cold Worked

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

870 MPa126 ksi
950 MPa138 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

700 MPa102 ksi
800 MPa116 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
12%

Reduction in Area

45%
35%

Compressive Strength

710 MPa103 ksi
810 MPa117 ksi

Shear Strength

520 MPa75.4 ksi
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

460 MPa66.7 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

90 J66.4 ft·lbf
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

275 HB
310 HB

Hardness, Vickers

295 HV
330 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Hardness, Rockwell B 98 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,465°C2,669 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
250°C482 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
63 / 100

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

38 / 100
30 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
24%

Weldability

66 / 100
58 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
20 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 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) 3.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%

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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale2101

2101 Cold Drawn vs 2101 Cold Worked — frequently asked

Is 2101 Cold Worked stronger than 2101 Cold Drawn?

Yes. 2101 Cold Worked has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 2101 Cold Drawn — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 870 MPa (126 ksi).

Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Cold Worked?

Solution Annealed is the default 2101 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn nor Cold Worked). 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, 2101 Cold Drawn or 2101 Cold Worked?

2101 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (30/100) for 2101 Cold Worked; for welding the order is 2101 Cold Drawn first (good, 66/100) then 2101 Cold Worked (good, 58/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2101 Cold Drawn and 2101 Cold Worked 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.