Stainless Steel 444 Annealed vs 444 Cold Drawn
Stainless Steel · 444 temper comparison
444 Annealed and 444 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 444: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 444 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for 444 Annealed, about 34% more; tensile strength follows at 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi). In exchange, 444 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 18% for 444 Cold Drawn, and 444 Cold Drawn is harder (210 HB vs 180 HB). 444 Annealed runs hotter in service (800°C vs 600°C continuous).
444 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
444 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
444 Annealed vs 444 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
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 7.8 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 26 W/m·K15 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 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m24.4 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
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 55 MJ/kg23,646 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 100 L/kg12 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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.
444 Annealed vs 444 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 444 Cold Drawn stronger than 444 Annealed?
Yes. 444 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) against 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) for 444 Annealed — about 34% more. Tensile strength is 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) vs 490 MPa (71.1 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 444 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, 444 Annealed or 444 Cold Drawn?
444 Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for 444 Annealed; for welding the order is 444 Annealed first (good, 65/100) then 444 Cold Drawn (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 444 Annealed and 444 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.