Stainless Steel 353 MA-AW vs 353 MA-CD
Stainless Steel · 353 MA temper comparison
353 MA-AW and 353 MA-CD are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 353 MA: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 353 MA-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 353 MA-AW, about 55% more; tensile strength follows at 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 640 MPa (92.8 ksi). In exchange, 353 MA-AW is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 22% for 353 MA-CD, and 353 MA-CD is harder (250 HB vs 195 HB).
353 MA-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
353 MA-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
353 MA-AW vs 353 MA-CD: 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
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 196 GPa28.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 156 GPa22.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 38% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 180 MPa·√m164 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,330°C2,426 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,390°C2,534 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 12 W/m·K6.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 85 MJ/kg36,543 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 220 L/kg26.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
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.
353 MA-AW vs 353 MA-CD — frequently asked
Is 353 MA-CD stronger than 353 MA-AW?
Yes. 353 MA-CD has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 400 MPa (58 ksi) for 353 MA-AW — about 55% more. Tensile strength is 880 MPa (128 ksi) vs 640 MPa (92.8 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CD?
SA is the default 353 MA condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW nor CD). 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, 353 MA-AW or 353 MA-CD?
353 MA-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 25/100 for 353 MA-AW; for welding the order is 353 MA-AW first (good, 65/100) then 353 MA-CD (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 353 MA-AW and 353 MA-CD 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.