Stainless Steel 2101 vs CD3MWCuN
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 2101 and CD3MWCuN are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 530 MPa — strength does not separate them. 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 32% for CD3MWCuN, and CD3MWCuN is harder (250 HB vs 230 HB). 2101 conducts electricity better (2.7 % IACS vs 2 % IACS). On the shop floor, 2101 welds better (very good vs good) and 2101 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than CD3MWCuN (high, $$$$).
2101Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
2101 vs CD3MWCuN: 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.
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 530 MPa76.9 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.6 MN·m/kg · Modulus of Resilience 702 kJ/m³ · Thermal Diffusivity 3.8 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 4
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 2101 | CD3MWCuN |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
| Passivation (Stainless Steel) | Yes | — |
They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
2101 vs CD3MWCuN — frequently asked
What is the difference between 2101 and CD3MWCuN?
Stainless Steel 2101 and CD3MWCuN are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 530 MPa — strength does not separate them. 2101 is the more ductile: elongation 38% versus 32% for CD3MWCuN, and CD3MWCuN is harder (250 HB vs 230 HB).
Which is cheaper, 2101 or CD3MWCuN?
2101 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while CD3MWCuN is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 2101 or CD3MWCuN?
2101. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (28/100) for CD3MWCuN; for welding the order is 2101 first (very good, 70/100) then CD3MWCuN (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2101 and CD3MWCuN 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.