Stainless Steel AL-6XN-CD vs AL-6XN CW-1/4H
Stainless Steel · AL-6XN temper comparison
AL-6XN-CD and AL-6XN CW-1/4H are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, AL-6XN: CD (cold drawn) versus CW-1/4H (1/4 Hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. AL-6XN CW-1/4H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 690 MPa (100 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for AL-6XN-CD, about 11% more. In exchange, AL-6XN-CD is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for AL-6XN CW-1/4H, and AL-6XN CW-1/4H is harder (270 HB vs 250 HB). AL-6XN-CD runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous).
AL-6XN-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
AL-6XN CW-1/4HChoose it when strength drives the design.
AL-6XN-CD vs AL-6XN CW-1/4H: 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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 75 GPa10.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 162 GPa23.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 50% · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 150 J111 ft·lbf
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.06 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,320°C2,408 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 456 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.3 µm/m·K8.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 280 J/g120 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.9 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 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 50 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 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 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.
AL-6XN-CD vs AL-6XN CW-1/4H — frequently asked
Is AL-6XN CW-1/4H stronger than AL-6XN-CD?
Yes. AL-6XN CW-1/4H has a typical yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for AL-6XN-CD — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 860 MPa (125 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or CW-1/4H?
Solution Annealed is the default AL-6XN condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor CW-1/4H). 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, AL-6XN-CD or AL-6XN CW-1/4H?
AL-6XN-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 28/100 against 22/100 for AL-6XN CW-1/4H; for welding the order is AL-6XN-CD first (very good, 70/100) then AL-6XN CW-1/4H (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AL-6XN-CD and AL-6XN CW-1/4H 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.