Stainless Steel 303 Annealed vs 303 CD Ground & Polished
Stainless Steel · 303 temper comparison
303 Annealed and 303 CD Ground & Polished are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 303: Annealed versus CD Ground & Polished (CD-G&P). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 303 CD Ground & Polished is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 303 Annealed, about 73% more; tensile strength follows at 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, 303 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 30% for 303 CD Ground & Polished, and 303 CD Ground & Polished is harder (240 HB vs 165 HB).
303 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
303 CD Ground & PolishedChoose it when strength drives the design.
303 Annealed vs 303 CD Ground & Polished: 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.
303 Annealed303 CD Ground & Polished
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 140 GPa20.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 450 MPa65.3 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,420°C2,588 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
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 275 J/g118 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 760°C1,400 °F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V · Corrosion Resistance 60 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%
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.
303 Annealed vs 303 CD Ground & Polished — frequently asked
Is 303 CD Ground & Polished stronger than 303 Annealed?
Yes. 303 CD Ground & Polished has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) for 303 Annealed — about 73% more. Tensile strength is 655 MPa (95 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or CD Ground & Polished?
Cold Drawn is the default 303 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed nor CD Ground & Polished). 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, 303 Annealed or 303 CD Ground & Polished?
303 CD Ground & Polished. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against good (66/100) for 303 Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 303 Annealed and 303 CD Ground & Polished 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.