Stainless Steel 316LN Cold Drawn vs 316LN Solution Annealed
Stainless Steel · 316LN temper comparison
316LN Cold Drawn and 316LN Solution Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 316LN: Cold Drawn versus Solution Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 316LN Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for 316LN Solution Annealed, about 63% more; tensile strength follows at 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 610 MPa (88.5 ksi). In exchange, 316LN Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 28% for 316LN Cold Drawn, and 316LN Cold Drawn is harder (220 HB vs 165 HB). 316LN Solution Annealed runs hotter in service (800°C vs 400°C continuous).
316LN Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
316LN Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
316LN Cold Drawn vs 316LN 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.
316LN Cold Drawn316LN Solution Annealed
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
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 · Compressive Strength 320 MPa46.4 ksi · Shear Strength 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in · Hardness, Vickers 175 HV
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.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m29.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 V · Corrosion Resistance 72 / 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 38 / 100 · Weldability 90 / 100 · 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 Cold Drawn vs 316LN Solution Annealed — frequently asked
Is 316LN Cold Drawn stronger than 316LN Solution Annealed?
Yes. 316LN Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for 316LN Solution Annealed — about 63% more. Tensile strength is 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 610 MPa (88.5 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Solution Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 316LN 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 316LN Cold Drawn over 316LN Solution Annealed?
Pick 316LN Cold Drawn when strength drives the design. Pick 316LN Solution Annealed when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 316LN Cold Drawn and 316LN 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.