Stainless Steel S33550-AW vs S33550-CD
Stainless Steel · S33550 temper comparison
S33550-AW and S33550-CD are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S33550: AW (as-welded deposit) versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S33550-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for S33550-AW, about 62% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 650 MPa (94.3 ksi). In exchange, S33550-AW is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 25% for S33550-CD, and S33550-CD is harder (240 HB vs 185 HB).
S33550-AWChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
S33550-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
S33550-AW vs S33550-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.
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: 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 8.14 g/cm³0.29 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,330°C2,426 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 11.5 W/m·K6.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 14.4 µm/m·K8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.5 % 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 60 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 115 MJ/kg49,441 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 8.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 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.
S33550-AW vs S33550-CD — frequently asked
Is S33550-CD stronger than S33550-AW?
Yes. S33550-CD has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for S33550-AW — about 62% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 650 MPa (94.3 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, AW or CD?
ANN is the default S33550 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither AW 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, S33550-AW or S33550-CD?
S33550-CD, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 30/100 against 22/100 for S33550-AW.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S33550-AW and S33550-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.