Stainless Steel CX Solution Annealed vs CX Stress Relieved
Stainless Steel · CX temper comparison
CX Solution Annealed and CX Stress Relieved are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, CX: Solution Annealed versus Stress Relieved. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. CX Stress Relieved is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for CX Solution Annealed, about 63% more; tensile strength follows at 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) vs 1,050 MPa (152 ksi). In exchange, CX Solution Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 8% for CX Stress Relieved, and CX Stress Relieved is harder (425 HB vs 320 HB). CX Stress Relieved runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, CX Solution Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor) and CX Solution Annealed welds better (very good vs good).
CX Solution AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
CX Stress RelievedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
CX Solution Annealed vs CX Stress Relieved: 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 Solution AnnealedCX Stress Relieved
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.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: 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.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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)
Same in both: Castability 45 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 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 Solution Annealed vs CX Stress Relieved — frequently asked
Is CX Stress Relieved stronger than CX Solution Annealed?
Yes. CX Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 800 MPa (116 ksi) for CX Solution Annealed — about 63% more. Tensile strength is 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) vs 1,050 MPa (152 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Solution Annealed or Stress Relieved?
As Printed is the default CX condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Solution Annealed nor Stress Relieved). 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 Solution Annealed or CX Stress Relieved?
CX Solution Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (30/100) for CX Stress Relieved; for welding the order is CX Solution Annealed first (very good, 72/100) then CX Stress Relieved (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in CX Solution Annealed and CX Stress Relieved 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.