Stainless Steel S21900-CD vs S21900 CW-1/2H
Stainless Steel · S21900 temper comparison
S21900-CD and S21900 CW-1/2H are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S21900: CD (cold drawn) versus CW-1/2H (cold worked, 1/2 hard). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S21900 CW-1/2H is the stronger of the two: yield strength 860 MPa (125 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S21900-CD, about 39% more; tensile strength follows at 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) vs 860 MPa (125 ksi). In exchange, S21900-CD is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 18% for S21900 CW-1/2H, and S21900 CW-1/2H is harder (300 HB vs 240 HB). On the shop floor, S21900-CD machines more easily (fair vs poor).
S21900-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
S21900 CW-1/2HChoose it when strength drives the design.
S21900-CD vs S21900 CW-1/2H: 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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,394°C2,541 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,416°C2,581 °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 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.3 µm/m·K8.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -269°C-452 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.4 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 7.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m28 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 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 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 190 L/kg22.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 60%
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.
S21900-CD vs S21900 CW-1/2H — frequently asked
Is S21900 CW-1/2H stronger than S21900-CD?
Yes. S21900 CW-1/2H has a typical yield strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S21900-CD — about 39% more. Tensile strength is 1,035 MPa (150 ksi) vs 860 MPa (125 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or CW-1/2H?
Annealed is the default S21900 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor CW-1/2H). 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, S21900-CD or S21900 CW-1/2H?
S21900-CD. Its machinability rates fair (36/100) against poor (24/100) for S21900 CW-1/2H; for welding the order is S21900-CD first (very good, 70/100) then S21900 CW-1/2H (good, 65/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S21900-CD and S21900 CW-1/2H 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.