Stainless Steel CX Hardened & Tempered vs CX Solution Annealed
Stainless Steel · CX temper comparison
CX Hardened & Tempered and CX Solution Annealed are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, CX: Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered) versus Solution Annealed. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. CX Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for CX Solution Annealed, about 94% more; tensile strength follows at 1,670 MPa (242 ksi) vs 1,050 MPa (152 ksi). In exchange, CX Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 5% for CX Hardened & Tempered, and CX Hardened & Tempered is harder (50 HRC vs 34 HRC). CX Hardened & Tempered is stiffer (200 GPa vs 188 GPa) and CX Hardened & Tempered runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, CX Solution Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor).
CX Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
CX Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
CX Hardened & Tempered vs CX Solution Annealed: 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.
CX Hardened & TemperedCX Solution Annealed
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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 72 GPa10.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 155 GPa22.5 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 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.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 18 W/m·K10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 430 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V · Corrosion Resistance 58 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 78 MJ/kg33,534 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 6.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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.
CX Hardened & Tempered vs CX Solution Annealed — frequently asked
Is CX Hardened & Tempered stronger than CX Solution Annealed?
Yes. CX Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for CX Solution Annealed — about 94% more. Tensile strength is 1,670 MPa (242 ksi) vs 1,050 MPa (152 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Hardened & Tempered or Solution Annealed?
As Printed is the default CX condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Hardened & Tempered nor Solution Annealed). 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, CX Hardened & Tempered or CX Solution Annealed?
CX Solution Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (22/100) for CX Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CX Hardened & Tempered and CX Solution Annealed 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.