Stainless Steel 431 Cold Drawn vs 431 Hardened & Tempered
Stainless Steel · 431 temper comparison
431 Cold Drawn and 431 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 431: Cold Drawn versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Both yield at about 760 MPa — the mechanical properties are the same, and the difference is in how the stock is processed and what it is certified to (Cold Drawn versus quenched and tempered). 431 Hardened & Tempered is the more ductile: elongation 16% versus 12% for 431 Cold Drawn. 431 Hardened & Tempered runs hotter in service (450°C vs 400°C continuous).
431 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
431 Cold Drawn vs 431 Hardened & Tempered: 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.
431 Cold Drawn431 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
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 C
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 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 760 MPa110 ksi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °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 20.2 W/m·K11.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °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) -0.3 V · Corrosion Resistance 48 / 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 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 140 L/kg16.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 50%
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.
431 Cold Drawn vs 431 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
What is the difference between 431 Cold Drawn and 431 Hardened & Tempered?
431 Cold Drawn and 431 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 431: Cold Drawn versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Both yield at about 760 MPa — the mechanical properties are the same, and the difference is in how the stock is processed and what it is certified to (Cold Drawn versus quenched and tempered).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Hardened & Tempered?
Hardened & Tempered is the default 431 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, 431 Cold Drawn or 431 Hardened & Tempered?
431 Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 40/100 against 35/100 for 431 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 431 Cold Drawn and 431 Hardened & Tempered 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.