Stainless Steel ER308 AW+SA vs ER308-CD
Stainless Steel · ER308 temper comparison
ER308 AW+SA and ER308-CD are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, ER308: AW+SA (weld deposit after post-weld solution anneal) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. ER308-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for ER308 AW+SA, about 133% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, ER308 AW+SA is the more ductile: elongation 48% versus 12% for ER308-CD, and ER308-CD is harder (285 HB vs 160 HB). ER308 AW+SA runs hotter in service (760°C vs 425°C continuous).
ER308 AW+SAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
ER308-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
ER308 AW+SA vs ER308-CD: 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.
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 B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 145 GPa21 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.9 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.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16.9 µm/m·K9.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 280 J/g120 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.08 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: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 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) 5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
ER308 AW+SA vs ER308-CD — frequently asked
Is ER308-CD stronger than ER308 AW+SA?
Yes. ER308-CD has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for ER308 AW+SA — about 133% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW+SA or CD?
AW is the default ER308 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW+SA nor CD). 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, ER308 AW+SA or ER308-CD?
ER308 AW+SA, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 42/100 against 35/100 for ER308-CD.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ER308 AW+SA and ER308-CD 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.