Stainless Steel S81921 Annealed vs S81921-CD
Stainless Steel · S81921 temper comparison
S81921 Annealed and S81921-CD are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, S81921: Annealed versus CD (cold drawn). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S81921-CD is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for S81921 Annealed, about 35% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 730 MPa (106 ksi). In exchange, S81921 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 20% for S81921-CD, and S81921-CD is harder (275 HB vs 230 HB).
S81921 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
S81921-CDChoose it when strength drives the design.
S81921 Annealed vs S81921-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, 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
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,465°C2,669 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m·K8.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 280°C536 °F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °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: Castability 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 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.
S81921 Annealed vs S81921-CD — frequently asked
Is S81921-CD stronger than S81921 Annealed?
Yes. S81921-CD has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for S81921 Annealed — about 35% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 730 MPa (106 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or CD?
Annealed is the default S81921 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 welds better, S81921 Annealed or S81921-CD?
S81921 Annealed. Its weldability rates very good (70/100) against good (65/100) for S81921-CD.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S81921 Annealed and S81921-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.