Stainless Steel 254 SMO-CD vs 254 SMO HF-SA
Stainless Steel · 254 SMO temper comparison
254 SMO-CD and 254 SMO HF-SA are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 254 SMO: CD (cold drawn) versus HF-SA (hot Finished + Solution Annealed). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 254 SMO-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 254 SMO HF-SA, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi). In exchange, 254 SMO HF-SA is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for 254 SMO-CD, and 254 SMO-CD is harder (260 HB vs 180 HB). 254 SMO HF-SA runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous).
254 SMO-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
254 SMO HF-SAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
254 SMO-CD vs 254 SMO HF-SA: 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 B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 75 GPa10.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 162 GPa23.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,325°C2,417 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,390°C2,534 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.5 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m33.5 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: Castability 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
254 SMO-CD vs 254 SMO HF-SA — frequently asked
Is 254 SMO-CD stronger than 254 SMO HF-SA?
Yes. 254 SMO-CD has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) for 254 SMO HF-SA — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 680 MPa (98.6 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or HF-SA?
Solution Annealed is the default 254 SMO condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor HF-SA). 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 welds better, 254 SMO-CD or 254 SMO HF-SA?
254 SMO HF-SA. Its weldability rates very good (75/100) against very good (70/100) for 254 SMO-CD.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 254 SMO-CD and 254 SMO HF-SA 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.