Stainless Steel 316 Cold Rolled vs 316 Solution Annealed
Stainless Steel · 316 temper comparison
316 Cold Rolled and 316 Solution Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 316: Cold Rolled versus Solution Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 316 Cold Rolled is the stronger of the two: yield strength 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 316 Solution Annealed, about 7% more. In exchange, 316 Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 45% for 316 Cold Rolled, and 316 Cold Rolled is harder (160 HB vs 150 HB).
316 Cold RolledChoose it when strength drives the design.
316 Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
316 Cold Rolled vs 316 Solution Annealed: 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.
316 Cold Rolled316 Solution Annealed
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 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Reduction in Area 65% · Compressive Strength 290 MPa42.1 ksi · Shear Strength 415 MPa60.2 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 220 MPa·√m200 ksi·√in · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 130 J95.9 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,375°C2,507 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.3 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) 16 µm/m·K8.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 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 2.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.1 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V · Corrosion Resistance 76 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability 35 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Weldability 88 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.1 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 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.
316 Cold Rolled vs 316 Solution Annealed — frequently asked
Is 316 Cold Rolled stronger than 316 Solution Annealed?
Yes. 316 Cold Rolled has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) against 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) for 316 Solution Annealed — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 600 MPa (87 ksi) vs 580 MPa (84.1 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Rolled or Solution Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 316 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 316 Cold Rolled over 316 Solution Annealed?
Pick 316 Cold Rolled when strength drives the design. Pick 316 Solution Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316 Cold Rolled and 316 Solution Annealed 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.