Stainless Steel 316L Annealed vs 316L Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 316L temper comparison
316L Annealed and 316L Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 316L: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 316L Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for 316L Annealed, about 79% more; tensile strength follows at 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 565 MPa (81.9 ksi). In exchange, 316L Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 25% for 316L Cold Drawn, and 316L Cold Drawn is harder (215 HB vs 150 HB).
316L AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
316L Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
316L Annealed vs 316L 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
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 0.27 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in · Hardness, Vickers 155 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.98 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 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 µm/m·K8.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 800°C1,472 °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 75 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability 40 / 100 · Weldability 90 / 100 · Castability 50 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 70 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
316L Annealed vs 316L Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 316L Cold Drawn stronger than 316L Annealed?
Yes. 316L Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) against 280 MPa (40.6 ksi) for 316L Annealed — about 79% more. Tensile strength is 700 MPa (102 ksi) vs 565 MPa (81.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Solution Annealed is the default 316L condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed 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.
When should I choose 316L Annealed over 316L Cold Drawn?
Pick 316L Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded. Pick 316L Cold Drawn when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316L Annealed and 316L 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.