Stainless Steel 2101 Cold Worked vs 2101 Solution Annealed
Stainless Steel · 2101 temper comparison
2101 Cold Worked and 2101 Solution Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 2101: Cold Worked versus Solution Annealed. 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 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101 Solution Annealed, about 51% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi). In exchange, 2101 Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 12% for 2101 Cold Worked, and 2101 Cold Worked is harder (310 HB vs 230 HB). 2101 Solution Annealed runs hotter in service (300°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, 2101 Solution Annealed welds better (very good vs good).
2101 Cold WorkedChoose it when strength drives the design.
2101 Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
2101 Cold Worked vs 2101 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.
2101 Cold Worked2101 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
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)
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
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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
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.
2101 Cold Worked vs 2101 Solution Annealed — frequently asked
Is 2101 Cold Worked stronger than 2101 Solution Annealed?
Yes. 2101 Cold Worked has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 2101 Solution Annealed — about 51% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Worked or Solution Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 2101 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, 2101 Cold Worked or 2101 Solution Annealed?
2101 Solution Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (30/100) for 2101 Cold Worked; for welding the order is 2101 Solution Annealed first (very good, 70/100) then 2101 Cold Worked (good, 58/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2101 Cold Worked and 2101 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.