Steel 300M-CD vs 300M Q&T
Steel · 300M temper comparison
300M-CD and 300M Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, 300M: CD (cold drawn) versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 300M Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) against 950 MPa (138 ksi) for 300M-CD, about 71% more; tensile strength follows at 1,930 MPa (280 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi). 300M-CD is harder — 340 HB against 320 HB for 300M Q&T — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 300M-CD runs hotter in service (400°C vs 290°C continuous). On the shop floor, 300M-CD machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 300M-CD welds better (poor vs not recommended).
300M-CDChoose it when surface hardness matters, or when the part sees heat.
300M Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
300M-CD vs 300M Q&T: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all 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 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)
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 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 9%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,470°C2,678 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -73°C-99 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 100
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 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 25 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 40 MJ/kg17,197 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 20%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
300M-CD vs 300M Q&T — frequently asked
Is 300M Q&T stronger than 300M-CD?
Yes. 300M Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) against 950 MPa (138 ksi) for 300M-CD — about 71% more. Tensile strength is 1,930 MPa (280 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or Q&T?
HR is the default 300M condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor Q&T). 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, 300M-CD or 300M Q&T?
300M-CD. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (15/100) for 300M Q&T; for welding the order is 300M-CD first (poor, 22/100) then 300M Q&T (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 300M-CD and 300M Q&T 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.