Steel 5160 Cold Drawn vs 5160 Normalized
Steel · 5160 temper comparison
5160 Cold Drawn and 5160 Normalized are two conditions of the same steel grade, 5160: Cold Drawn versus Normalized. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 5160 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 5160 Normalized, about 32% more. In exchange, 5160 Normalized is the more ductile: elongation 17.5% versus 10% for 5160 Cold Drawn, and 5160 Normalized is harder (269 HB vs 248 HB). 5160 Normalized runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 5160 Cold Drawn machines more easily (good vs fair).
5160 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
5160 NormalizedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
5160 Cold Drawn vs 5160 Normalized: 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.
5160 Cold Drawn5160 Normalized
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 92 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,490°C2,714 °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 490 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °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 10 / 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 40 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
5160 Cold Drawn vs 5160 Normalized — frequently asked
Is 5160 Cold Drawn stronger than 5160 Normalized?
Yes. 5160 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) against 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) for 5160 Normalized — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 957 MPa (139 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Normalized?
Annealed is the default 5160 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn nor Normalized). 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, 5160 Cold Drawn or 5160 Normalized?
5160 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (45/100) for 5160 Normalized.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 5160 Cold Drawn and 5160 Normalized 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.