Stainless Steel 309 As Welded vs 309 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 309 temper comparison
309 As Welded and 309 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 309: As Welded (as-welded deposit) versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 309 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 309 As Welded, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 590 MPa (85.6 ksi). In exchange, 309 As Welded is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 30% for 309 Cold Drawn, and 309 Cold Drawn is harder (200 HB vs 190 HB). 309 Cold Drawn runs hotter in service (1,050°C vs 800°C continuous). On the shop floor, 309 Cold Drawn machines more easily (fair vs poor).
309 As WeldedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
309 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
309 As Welded vs 309 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
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 150 GPa21.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.9 µm/m·K8.3 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 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m30.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 V
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 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 56 MJ/kg24,076 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
309 As Welded vs 309 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 309 Cold Drawn stronger than 309 As Welded?
Yes. 309 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 309 As Welded — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 725 MPa (105 ksi) vs 590 MPa (85.6 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, As Welded or Cold Drawn?
Solution Annealed is the default 309 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither As Welded nor Cold Drawn). 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, 309 As Welded or 309 Cold Drawn?
309 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (30/100) for 309 As Welded.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 309 As Welded and 309 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.