Stainless Steel Discaloy-CD vs Discaloy-SA
Stainless Steel · Discaloy temper comparison
Discaloy-CD and Discaloy-SA are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Discaloy: CD (cold drawn) versus SA (solution annealed). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Discaloy-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 950 MPa (138 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for Discaloy-SA, about 3.2 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, Discaloy-SA is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 12% for Discaloy-CD, and Discaloy-CD is harder (330 HB vs 190 HB). Discaloy-SA runs hotter in service (600°C vs 540°C continuous). On the shop floor, Discaloy-SA welds better (good vs poor).
Discaloy-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
Discaloy-SAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Discaloy-CD vs Discaloy-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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 196 GPa28.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 76 GPa11 Msi · Bulk Modulus 165 GPa23.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.97 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,380°C2,516 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,430°C2,606 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.9 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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 35 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 80 MJ/kg34,394 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 190 L/kg22.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
Discaloy-CD vs Discaloy-SA — frequently asked
Is Discaloy-CD stronger than Discaloy-SA?
Yes. Discaloy-CD has a typical yield strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for Discaloy-SA — about 3.2 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or SA?
STA is the default Discaloy condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor SA). 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, Discaloy-CD or Discaloy-SA?
Discaloy-SA, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 24/100 against 16/100 for Discaloy-CD; for welding the order is Discaloy-SA first (good, 55/100) then Discaloy-CD (poor, 30/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Discaloy-CD and Discaloy-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.