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Stainless Steel 2205 vs CD3MWCuN

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 2205 and CD3MWCuN are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 540 MPa — strength does not separate them. 2205 is harder — 26 HRC against 24 HRC for CD3MWCuN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 2205 conducts heat better (16 W/m·K vs 14.2 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 2205 welds better (very good vs good), 2205 forms better (good vs poor), and CD3MWCuN sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than 2205 (specialty, $$$$$).

2205Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when it will be welded.

CD3MWCuNChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.

2205 vs CD3MWCuN: properties

2205CD3MWCuN

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

790 MPa115 ksi
780 MPa113 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

540 MPa78.3 ksi
530 MPa76.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
32%

Reduction in Area

60%
40%

Shear Strength

480 MPa69.6 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

390 MPa56.6 ksi
320 MPa46.4 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

220 J162 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

255 HB
250 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

100 HRB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

26 HRC
24 HRC

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Compressive Strength 540 MPa78.3 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in · Hardness, Vickers 265 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,385°C2,525 °F
1,350°C2,462 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,445°C2,633 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

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

16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14.2 W/m·K8.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
482 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F
12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

270 J/g116 BTU/lb
280 J/g120 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
280°C536 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2.2 % IACS
2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
8.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m33.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
86 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

32 / 100
28 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
20%

Weldability

78 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

55 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
30 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

—
62 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

4.6 kg CO₂/kg
5.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
180 L/kg21.6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

65%
60%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

101 kN·m/kg
100 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

729 kJ/m³
702 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.4 mm²/s
3.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
4

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 25.6 MN·m/kg

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 scale2205CD3MWCuN

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability2205CD3MWCuN
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionSolution Annealed—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall1 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
ElectropolishingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—
Passivation (Stainless Steel)Yes—

They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.

2205 vs CD3MWCuN — frequently asked

What is the difference between 2205 and CD3MWCuN?

Stainless Steel 2205 and CD3MWCuN are both stainless steel grades. Both yield at about 540 MPa — strength does not separate them. 2205 is harder — 26 HRC against 24 HRC for CD3MWCuN — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.

Which is cheaper, 2205 or CD3MWCuN?

CD3MWCuN is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while 2205 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, 2205 or CD3MWCuN?

2205. Its weldability rates very good (78/100) against good (60/100) for CD3MWCuN.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2205 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.