Stainless Steel S38815 Annealed vs S38815-CW
Stainless Steel · S38815 temper comparison
S38815 Annealed and S38815-CW are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S38815: Annealed versus CW (cold worked). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S38815-CW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for S38815 Annealed, about 83% more; tensile strength follows at 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 640 MPa (92.8 ksi). In exchange, S38815 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 20% for S38815-CW, and S38815-CW is harder (240 HB vs 180 HB). S38815 Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous).
S38815 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
S38815-CWChoose it when strength drives the design.
S38815 Annealed vs S38815-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 B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 190 GPa27.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 73 GPa10.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 158 GPa22.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.6 g/cm³0.27 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,350°C2,462 °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 13 W/m·K7.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 15.5 µm/m·K8.6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 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 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 57 MJ/kg24,506 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 200 L/kg24 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 50%
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.
S38815 Annealed vs S38815-CW — frequently asked
Is S38815-CW stronger than S38815 Annealed?
Yes. S38815-CW has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) against 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) for S38815 Annealed — about 83% more. Tensile strength is 800 MPa (116 ksi) vs 640 MPa (92.8 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or CW?
Annealed is the default S38815 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, S38815 Annealed or S38815-CW?
S38815 Annealed, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 20/100 for S38815-CW; for welding the order is S38815 Annealed first (fair, 40/100) then S38815-CW (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S38815 Annealed and S38815-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.