Stainless Steel 302HQ Cold Drawn vs 302HQ CW 1/2H
Stainless Steel · 302HQ temper comparison
302HQ Cold Drawn and 302HQ CW 1/2H are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 302HQ: Cold Drawn versus CW 1/2H (cold Worked 1/2-Hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 302HQ CW 1/2H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 302HQ Cold Drawn, about 80% more; tensile strength follows at 930 MPa (135 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 302HQ Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 10% for 302HQ CW 1/2H, and 302HQ CW 1/2H is harder (285 HB vs 185 HB). 302HQ Cold Drawn runs hotter in service (500°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 302HQ CW 1/2H machines more easily (52 vs 42 out of 100).
302HQ Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
302HQ CW 1/2HChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
302HQ Cold Drawn vs 302HQ CW 1/2H: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,398°C2,548 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 17.3 µm/m·K9.6 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 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 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 70 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.9 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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.
302HQ Cold Drawn vs 302HQ CW 1/2H — frequently asked
Is 302HQ CW 1/2H stronger than 302HQ Cold Drawn?
Yes. 302HQ CW 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 302HQ Cold Drawn — about 80% more. Tensile strength is 930 MPa (135 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or CW 1/2H?
Cold Drawn is the default 302HQ 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, 302HQ Cold Drawn or 302HQ CW 1/2H?
302HQ CW 1/2H, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 52/100 against 42/100 for 302HQ Cold Drawn; for welding the order is 302HQ Cold Drawn first (good, 65/100) then 302HQ CW 1/2H (good, 58/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 302HQ Cold Drawn and 302HQ CW 1/2H 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.