Stainless Steel 304 Annealed vs 304 Cold Rolled
Stainless Steel · 304 temper comparison
304 Annealed and 304 Cold Rolled are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 304: Annealed versus Cold Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 304 Cold Rolled is the stronger of the two: yield strength 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 Annealed, about 32% more; tensile strength follows at 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). In exchange, 304 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 45% for 304 Cold Rolled, and 304 Cold Rolled is harder (180 HB vs 150 HB).
304 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
304 Cold RolledChoose it when strength drives the design.
304 Annealed vs 304 Cold Rolled: 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
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
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 · Reduction in Area 70% · Compressive Strength 250 MPa36.3 ksi · Shear Strength 415 MPa60.2 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 220 MPa·√m200 ksi·√in · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 200 J148 ft·lbf
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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 45 / 100 · Weldability 88 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 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 Rolled — frequently asked
Is 304 Cold Rolled stronger than 304 Annealed?
Yes. 304 Cold Rolled has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 304 Annealed — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Rolled?
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.
When should I choose 304 Annealed over 304 Cold Rolled?
Pick 304 Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick 304 Cold Rolled when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304 Annealed and 304 Cold Rolled 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.