Steel 52100 Cold Drawn vs 52100 Q&T
Steel · 52100 temper comparison
52100 Cold Drawn and 52100 Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, 52100: Cold Drawn versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 52100 Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for 52100 Cold Drawn, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,250 MPa (326 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi). In exchange, 52100 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 1.5% for 52100 Q&T, and 52100 Cold Drawn is harder (220 HB vs 195 HB). On the shop floor, 52100 Cold Drawn machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and 52100 Cold Drawn welds better (poor vs not recommended).
52100 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
52100 Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
52100 Cold Drawn vs 52100 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 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)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: 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.
52100 Cold Drawn vs 52100 Q&T — frequently asked
Is 52100 Q&T stronger than 52100 Cold Drawn?
Yes. 52100 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for 52100 Cold Drawn — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,250 MPa (326 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Q&T?
Annealed is the default 52100 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn 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, 52100 Cold Drawn or 52100 Q&T?
52100 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against not recommended (5/100) for 52100 Q&T; for welding the order is 52100 Cold Drawn first (poor, 15/100) then 52100 Q&T (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 52100 Cold Drawn and 52100 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.