Stainless Steel Alloy 28-AW vs Alloy 28-CD
Stainless Steel · Alloy 28 temper comparison
Alloy 28-AW and Alloy 28-CD are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Alloy 28: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 28-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Alloy 28-AW, about 63% more; tensile strength follows at 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 28-AW is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 28% for Alloy 28-CD, and Alloy 28-CD is harder (230 HB vs 180 HB). Alloy 28-AW runs hotter in service (500°C vs 450°C continuous).
Alloy 28-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 28-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 28-AW vs Alloy 28-CD: 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
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 163 GPa23.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 45%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,350°C2,462 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,370°C2,498 °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 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.5 µm/m·K8.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 280 J/g120 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 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 50 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 180 L/kg21.6 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.
Alloy 28-AW vs Alloy 28-CD — frequently asked
Is Alloy 28-CD stronger than Alloy 28-AW?
Yes. Alloy 28-CD has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Alloy 28-AW — about 63% more. Tensile strength is 750 MPa (109 ksi) vs 600 MPa (87 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CD?
SA is the default Alloy 28 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW nor CD). 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, Alloy 28-AW or Alloy 28-CD?
Alloy 28-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 26/100 for Alloy 28-AW; for welding the order is Alloy 28-AW first (very good, 70/100) then Alloy 28-CD (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 28-AW and Alloy 28-CD 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.