Stainless Steel 316LN Annealed vs 316LN CW 1/4 Hard
Stainless Steel · 316LN temper comparison
316LN Annealed and 316LN CW 1/4 Hard are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 316LN: Annealed versus CW 1/4 Hard (cold Worked 1/4 Hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 316LN CW 1/4 Hard is the stronger of the two: yield strength 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 316LN Annealed, about 90% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 590 MPa (85.6 ksi). In exchange, 316LN Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 15% for 316LN CW 1/4 Hard, and 316LN CW 1/4 Hard is harder (255 HB vs 155 HB). 316LN Annealed runs hotter in service (800°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, 316LN Annealed welds better (excellent vs very good).
316LN AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
316LN CW 1/4 HardChoose it when strength drives the design.
316LN Annealed vs 316LN CW 1/4 Hard: 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.
316LN Annealed316LN CW 1/4 Hard
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 196 GPa28.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,390°C2,534 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 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 · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 82 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 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.
316LN Annealed vs 316LN CW 1/4 Hard — frequently asked
Is 316LN CW 1/4 Hard stronger than 316LN Annealed?
Yes. 316LN CW 1/4 Hard has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for 316LN Annealed — about 90% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 590 MPa (85.6 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or CW 1/4 Hard?
Solution Annealed is the default 316LN condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed nor CW 1/4 Hard). 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, 316LN Annealed or 316LN CW 1/4 Hard?
316LN CW 1/4 Hard, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 44/100 against 37/100 for 316LN Annealed; for welding the order is 316LN Annealed first (excellent, 92/100) then 316LN CW 1/4 Hard (very good, 75/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316LN Annealed and 316LN CW 1/4 Hard 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.