Stainless Steel 2304 As Welded vs 2304 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 2304 temper comparison
2304 As Welded and 2304 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 2304: As Welded (as-welded deposit) versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 2304 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 2304 As Welded, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). 2304 Cold Drawn is harder — 280 HB against 255 HB for 2304 As Welded — which matters for wear surfaces and threads.
2304 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
2304 As Welded vs 2304 Cold Drawn: 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.
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, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 150 GPa21.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,385°C2,525 °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 16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 275 J/g118 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 70 / 100 · Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 46 MJ/kg19,776 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 100 L/kg12 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 70%
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.
2304 As Welded vs 2304 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 2304 Cold Drawn stronger than 2304 As Welded?
Yes. 2304 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for 2304 As Welded — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, As Welded or Cold Drawn?
Solution Annealed is the default 2304 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither As Welded nor Cold Drawn). 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, 2304 As Welded or 2304 Cold Drawn?
2304 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (32/100) for 2304 As Welded.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 2304 As Welded and 2304 Cold Drawn 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.