Stainless Steel 321H Annealed vs 321H Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 321H temper comparison
321H Annealed and 321H Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 321H: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 321H Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 321H Annealed, about 66% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, 321H Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 30% for 321H Cold Drawn, and 321H Cold Drawn is harder (200 HB vs 165 HB).
321H AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
321H Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
321H Annealed vs 321H 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
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 193 GPa28 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 152 GPa22 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,398°C2,548 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,427°C2,601 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.1 W/m·K9.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.6 µm/m·K9.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 285 J/g123 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 900°C1,652 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28.3 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V · Corrosion Resistance 64 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 82 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 56 MJ/kg24,076 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 160 L/kg19.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 55%
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.
321H Annealed vs 321H Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 321H Cold Drawn stronger than 321H Annealed?
Yes. 321H Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 321H Annealed — about 66% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Solution Annealed is the default 321H 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.
Which is easier to machine, 321H Annealed or 321H Cold Drawn?
321H Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 321H Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 321H Annealed and 321H 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.