Stainless Steel Haynes 556-AW vs Haynes 556-CW
Stainless Steel · Haynes 556 temper comparison
Haynes 556-AW and Haynes 556-CW are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, Haynes 556: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CW (cold worked). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Haynes 556-CW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Haynes 556-AW, about 67% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 770 MPa (112 ksi). In exchange, Haynes 556-AW is the more ductile: elongation 33% versus 18% for Haynes 556-CW, and Haynes 556-CW is harder (300 HB vs 210 HB). Haynes 556-AW runs hotter in service (1,050°C vs 650°C continuous). On the shop floor, Haynes 556-AW welds better (very good vs good).
Haynes 556-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Haynes 556-CWChoose it when strength drives the design.
Haynes 556-AW vs Haynes 556-CW: 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 B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 180 GPa26.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.31
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.23 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,320°C2,408 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,355°C2,471 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 12.6 W/m·K7.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.1 µm/m·K7.8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.8 % 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: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 17 kg CO₂/kg · 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.
Haynes 556-AW vs Haynes 556-CW — frequently asked
Is Haynes 556-CW stronger than Haynes 556-AW?
Yes. Haynes 556-CW has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Haynes 556-AW — about 67% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 770 MPa (112 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CW?
SA is the default Haynes 556 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW nor CW). 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 welds better, Haynes 556-AW or Haynes 556-CW?
Haynes 556-AW. Its weldability rates very good (72/100) against good (60/100) for Haynes 556-CW.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Haynes 556-AW and Haynes 556-CW 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.