Stainless Steel S32803-CD vs S32803 CW-125
Stainless Steel · S32803 temper comparison
S32803-CD and S32803 CW-125 are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S32803: CD (cold drawn) versus CW-125 (cold Worked 125 ksi). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S32803 CW-125 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S32803-CD, about 45% more; tensile strength follows at 970 MPa (141 ksi) vs 740 MPa (107 ksi). In exchange, S32803-CD is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 13% for S32803 CW-125, and S32803 CW-125 is harder (310 HB vs 225 HB). S32803-CD runs hotter in service (280°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, S32803-CD welds better (fair vs poor).
S32803-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
S32803 CW-125Choose it when strength drives the design.
S32803-CD vs S32803 CW-125: 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 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 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) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,490°C2,714 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16 W/m·K9.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -45°C-49 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.6 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m26 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 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) 50 MJ/kg21,496 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb · 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.
S32803-CD vs S32803 CW-125 — frequently asked
Is S32803 CW-125 stronger than S32803-CD?
Yes. S32803 CW-125 has a typical yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S32803-CD — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 970 MPa (141 ksi) vs 740 MPa (107 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or CW-125?
ANN is the default S32803 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor CW-125). 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, S32803-CD or S32803 CW-125?
S32803-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 32/100 against 24/100 for S32803 CW-125; for welding the order is S32803-CD first (fair, 40/100) then S32803 CW-125 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S32803-CD and S32803 CW-125 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.