Stainless Steel Alloy 864-CD vs Alloy 864 CW-1/4H
Stainless Steel · Alloy 864 temper comparison
Alloy 864-CD and Alloy 864 CW-1/4H are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Alloy 864: CD (cold drawn) versus CW-1/4H (cold Worked, 1/4 Hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 864 CW-1/4H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Alloy 864-CD, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 864-CD is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 18% for Alloy 864 CW-1/4H, and Alloy 864 CW-1/4H is harder (250 HB vs 230 HB). Alloy 864-CD runs hotter in service (550°C vs 400°C continuous).
Alloy 864-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 864 CW-1/4HChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 864-CD vs Alloy 864 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)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 197 GPa28.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 164 GPa23.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Reduction in Area 45%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.94 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,355°C2,471 °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 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.4 µm/m·K8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 70 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 7 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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 864-CD vs Alloy 864 CW-1/4H — frequently asked
Is Alloy 864 CW-1/4H stronger than Alloy 864-CD?
Yes. Alloy 864 CW-1/4H has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for Alloy 864-CD — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or CW-1/4H?
Annealed is the default Alloy 864 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.
When should I choose Alloy 864-CD over Alloy 864 CW-1/4H?
Pick Alloy 864-CD when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat. Pick Alloy 864 CW-1/4H when strength drives the design.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 864-CD and Alloy 864 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.