Stainless Steel AM-355-A vs AM-355-CRT
Stainless Steel · AM-355 temper comparison
AM-355-A and AM-355-CRT are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, AM-355: A (solution annealed) versus CRT (cold rolled (Condition A strip) and tempered/aged). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. AM-355-CRT is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,590 MPa (231 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for AM-355-A, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi). In exchange, AM-355-A is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 5% for AM-355-CRT, and AM-355-CRT is harder (375 HB vs 250 HB). On the shop floor, AM-355-A machines more easily (fair vs poor) and AM-355-A welds better (fair vs poor).
AM-355-AChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
AM-355-CRTChoose it when strength drives the design.
AM-355-A vs AM-355-CRT: 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
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 1,100 MPa160 ksi · Shear Strength 790 MPa115 ksi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.91 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.3 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.6 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 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: Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 150 L/kg18 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.
AM-355-A vs AM-355-CRT — frequently asked
Is AM-355-CRT stronger than AM-355-A?
Yes. AM-355-CRT has a typical yield strength of 1,590 MPa (231 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for AM-355-A — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, A or CRT?
SCT850 is the default AM-355 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor CRT). 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, AM-355-A or AM-355-CRT?
AM-355-A. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (15/100) for AM-355-CRT; for welding the order is AM-355-A first (fair, 50/100) then AM-355-CRT (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AM-355-A and AM-355-CRT 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.