Stainless Steel Alloy 926-CD vs Alloy 926 CW-HT
Stainless Steel · Alloy 926 temper comparison
Alloy 926-CD and Alloy 926 CW-HT are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Alloy 926: CD (cold drawn) versus CW-HT (heavily cold worked). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 926 CW-HT is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for Alloy 926-CD, about 61% more; tensile strength follows at 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 926-CD is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for Alloy 926 CW-HT, and Alloy 926 CW-HT is harder (355 HB vs 260 HB). Alloy 926-CD runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, Alloy 926-CD welds better (very good vs good).
Alloy 926-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Alloy 926 CW-HTChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 926-CD vs Alloy 926 CW-HT: 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Hardness, Rockwell B 88 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.1 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 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.8 µm/m·K8.8 µin/in·°F · 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) -0.05 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 55 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 95 MJ/kg40,843 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 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 926-CD vs Alloy 926 CW-HT — frequently asked
Is Alloy 926 CW-HT stronger than Alloy 926-CD?
Yes. Alloy 926 CW-HT has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for Alloy 926-CD — about 61% more. Tensile strength is 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or CW-HT?
SA is the default Alloy 926 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor CW-HT). 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 926-CD or Alloy 926 CW-HT?
Alloy 926-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for Alloy 926 CW-HT; for welding the order is Alloy 926-CD first (very good, 75/100) then Alloy 926 CW-HT (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 926-CD and Alloy 926 CW-HT 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.