Stainless Steel 308L Annealed vs 308L Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 308L temper comparison
308L Annealed and 308L Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 308L: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 308L Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for 308L Annealed, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi). In exchange, 308L Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 25% for 308L Cold Drawn, and 308L Cold Drawn is harder (215 HB vs 150 HB). 308L Annealed runs hotter in service (800°C vs 400°C continuous).
308L AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
308L Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
308L Annealed vs 308L 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
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: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 140 GPa20.3 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 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.6 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.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.3 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.06 V
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 92 / 100 · Castability 60 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 65 / 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) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 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.
308L Annealed vs 308L Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 308L Cold Drawn stronger than 308L Annealed?
Yes. 308L Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for 308L Annealed — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 550 MPa (79.8 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 308L 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, 308L Annealed or 308L Cold Drawn?
308L Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 308L Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 308L Annealed and 308L 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.