Stainless Steel 304 Annealed vs 304 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 304 temper comparison
304 Annealed and 304 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 304: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 304 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 Annealed, about 120% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). In exchange, 304 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 30% for 304 Cold Drawn, and 304 Cold Drawn is harder (220 HB vs 150 HB).
304 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
304 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
304 Annealed vs 304 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
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 · Compressive Strength 250 MPa36.3 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 220 MPa·√m200 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °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 285 J/g123 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 870°C1,598 °F · 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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V · Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100
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 88 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 100 · Polishability 88 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 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.
304 Annealed vs 304 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 304 Cold Drawn stronger than 304 Annealed?
Yes. 304 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 Annealed — about 120% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 304 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, 304 Annealed or 304 Cold Drawn?
304 Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 304 Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304 Annealed and 304 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.