Stainless Steel Alloy 926-CD vs Alloy 926-SA
Stainless Steel · Alloy 926 temper comparison
Alloy 926-CD and Alloy 926-SA are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Alloy 926: CD (cold drawn) versus SA (solution annealed). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Alloy 926-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for Alloy 926-SA, about 72% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, Alloy 926-SA is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 25% for Alloy 926-CD, and Alloy 926-CD is harder (260 HB vs 180 HB).
Alloy 926-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Alloy 926-SAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Alloy 926-CD vs Alloy 926-SA: 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
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 195 GPa28.3 Msi · Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Shear Strength 450 MPa65.3 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 200 MPa·√m182 ksi·√in · Hardness, Rockwell B 88 HRB · Hardness, Vickers 190 HV
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.
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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.05 V · Corrosion Resistance 86 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 28% · Weldability 75 / 100 · 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-SA — frequently asked
Is Alloy 926-CD stronger than Alloy 926-SA?
Yes. Alloy 926-CD has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for Alloy 926-SA — about 72% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or SA?
SA is the default Alloy 926 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, Alloy 926-CD or Alloy 926-SA?
Alloy 926-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 25/100 for Alloy 926-SA.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Alloy 926-CD and Alloy 926-SA 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.