Stainless Steel 420 Annealed vs 420 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 420 temper comparison
420 Annealed and 420 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 420: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 420 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 420 Annealed, about 78% more; tensile strength follows at 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi). In exchange, 420 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 12% for 420 Cold Drawn, and 420 Cold Drawn is harder (250 HB vs 200 HB).
420 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
420 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
420 Annealed vs 420 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
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 380 MPa55.1 ksi · Shear Strength 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in · Hardness, Rockwell B 93 HRB · Hardness, Vickers 210 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,454°C2,649 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,510°C2,750 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.9 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.3 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 650°C1,202 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m21.7 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.3 V · Corrosion Resistance 40 / 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 25 / 100 · Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
420 Annealed vs 420 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 420 Cold Drawn stronger than 420 Annealed?
Yes. 420 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 420 Annealed — about 78% more. Tensile strength is 820 MPa (119 ksi) vs 690 MPa (100 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 420 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.
Which is easier to machine, 420 Annealed or 420 Cold Drawn?
420 Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 420 Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 420 Annealed and 420 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.