Stainless Steel 3Cr12-AW vs 3Cr12-CW
Stainless Steel · 3Cr12 temper comparison
3Cr12-AW and 3Cr12-CW are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 3Cr12: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CW (cold worked). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 3Cr12-CW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for 3Cr12-AW, about 53% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, 3Cr12-AW is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 12% for 3Cr12-CW. 3Cr12-AW runs hotter in service (600°C vs 300°C continuous).
3Cr12-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
3Cr12-CWChoose it when strength drives the design.
3Cr12-AW vs 3Cr12-CW: 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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,450°C2,642 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 30 W/m·K17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 430 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.4 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.9 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.35 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) 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 50 / 100 · Polishability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 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.
3Cr12-AW vs 3Cr12-CW — frequently asked
Is 3Cr12-CW stronger than 3Cr12-AW?
Yes. 3Cr12-CW has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for 3Cr12-AW — about 53% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CW?
Annealed is the default 3Cr12 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW nor CW). 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, 3Cr12-AW or 3Cr12-CW?
3Cr12-CW. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (50/100) for 3Cr12-AW; for welding the order is 3Cr12-AW first (very good, 78/100) then 3Cr12-CW (very good, 72/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 3Cr12-AW and 3Cr12-CW 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.