Steel 5140 Annealed vs 5140-CR
Steel · 5140 temper comparison
5140 Annealed and 5140-CR are two conditions of the same steel grade, 5140: Annealed versus CR (cold rolled). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 5140-CR is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 293 MPa (42.5 ksi) for 5140 Annealed, about 112% more; tensile strength follows at 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 572 MPa (83 ksi). In exchange, 5140 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 28.6% versus 10% for 5140-CR, and 5140-CR is harder (217 HB vs 167 HB). 5140 Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 5140 Annealed welds better (45 vs 35 out of 100).
5140 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
5140-CRChoose it when strength drives the design.
5140 Annealed vs 5140-CR: 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)
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 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,490°C2,714 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 473 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 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 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 1.9 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
5140 Annealed vs 5140-CR — frequently asked
Is 5140-CR stronger than 5140 Annealed?
Yes. 5140-CR has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 293 MPa (42.5 ksi) for 5140 Annealed — about 112% more. Tensile strength is 760 MPa (110 ksi) vs 572 MPa (83 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or CR?
HR is the default 5140 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed nor CR). 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, 5140 Annealed or 5140-CR?
5140 Annealed, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 56/100 for 5140-CR; for welding the order is 5140 Annealed first (fair, 45/100) then 5140-CR (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5140 Annealed and 5140-CR 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.