Stainless Steel 321H Cold Drawn vs 321H Stabilize Annealed
Stainless Steel · 321H temper comparison
321H Cold Drawn and 321H Stabilize Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 321H: Cold Drawn versus Stabilize Annealed (870–900 °C hold after solution anneal). 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 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) for 321H Stabilize Annealed, about 77% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 575 MPa (83.4 ksi). In exchange, 321H Stabilize Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 42% versus 30% for 321H Cold Drawn, and 321H Cold Drawn is harder (200 HB vs 160 HB).
321H Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
321H Stabilize AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
321H Cold Drawn vs 321H Stabilize 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.
321H Cold Drawn321H Stabilize Annealed
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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 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 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 Cold Drawn vs 321H Stabilize Annealed — frequently asked
Is 321H Cold Drawn stronger than 321H Stabilize Annealed?
Yes. 321H Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) for 321H Stabilize Annealed — about 77% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 575 MPa (83.4 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Stabilize Annealed?
Solution Annealed is the default 321H condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn nor Stabilize Annealed). 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 Cold Drawn or 321H Stabilize Annealed?
321H Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 40/100 for 321H Stabilize Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 321H Cold Drawn and 321H Stabilize 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.