Stainless Steel 304L Annealed vs 304L Cold Rolled
Stainless Steel · 304L temper comparison
304L Annealed and 304L Cold Rolled are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 304L: Annealed versus Cold Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 304L Cold Rolled is the stronger of the two: yield strength 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for 304L Annealed, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi). In exchange, 304L Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 55% versus 40% for 304L Cold Rolled, and 304L Cold Rolled is harder (185 HB vs 150 HB).
304L AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
304L Cold RolledChoose it when strength drives the design.
304L Annealed vs 304L 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
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 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) 1,400°C2,552 °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 15.5 W/m·K9 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 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V · Corrosion Resistance 65 / 100
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 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 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.
304L Annealed vs 304L Cold Rolled — frequently asked
Is 304L Cold Rolled stronger than 304L Annealed?
Yes. 304L Cold Rolled has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) against 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) for 304L Annealed — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) vs 585 MPa (84.8 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Rolled?
Annealed is the default 304L 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, 304L Annealed or 304L Cold Rolled?
304L Cold Rolled, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 304L Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 304L Annealed and 304L 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.