Stainless Steel S32950-CD vs S32950-CW
Stainless Steel · S32950 temper comparison
S32950-CD and S32950-CW are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S32950: CD (cold drawn) versus CW (cold worked). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S32950-CW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for S32950-CD, about 19% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 880 MPa (128 ksi). In exchange, S32950-CD is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for S32950-CW, and S32950-CW is harder (330 HB vs 300 HB). On the shop floor, S32950-CD welds better (65 vs 55 out of 100).
S32950-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
S32950-CWChoose it when strength drives the design.
S32950-CD vs S32950-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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
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 0.3 · Hardness, Rockwell B 100 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.74 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,385°C2,525 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15.5 W/m·K9 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 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 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 110 L/kg13.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 65%
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.
S32950-CD vs S32950-CW — frequently asked
Is S32950-CW stronger than S32950-CD?
Yes. S32950-CW has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for S32950-CD — about 19% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 880 MPa (128 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or CW?
Annealed is the default S32950 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD 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 is easier to machine, S32950-CD or S32950-CW?
S32950-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 33/100 against 25/100 for S32950-CW; for welding the order is S32950-CD first (good, 65/100) then S32950-CW (good, 55/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S32950-CD and S32950-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.