Steel 55Cr3 Annealed vs 55Cr3 Cold Drawn
Steel · 55Cr3 temper comparison
55Cr3 Annealed and 55Cr3 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same steel grade, 55Cr3: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 55Cr3 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 55Cr3 Annealed, about 56% more; tensile strength follows at 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi). In exchange, 55Cr3 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 16% versus 8% for 55Cr3 Cold Drawn, and 55Cr3 Cold Drawn is harder (285 HB vs 225 HB). 55Cr3 Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous).
55Cr3 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
55Cr3 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
55Cr3 Annealed vs 55Cr3 Cold Drawn: 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.
55Cr3 Annealed55Cr3 Cold Drawn
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 C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 206 GPa29.9 Msi · Shear Modulus 79.5 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 98 HRB
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 465 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.5 µm/m·K6.9 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: 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: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 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) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 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.
55Cr3 Annealed vs 55Cr3 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is 55Cr3 Cold Drawn stronger than 55Cr3 Annealed?
Yes. 55Cr3 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for 55Cr3 Annealed — about 56% more. Tensile strength is 950 MPa (138 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default 55Cr3 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 is easier to machine, 55Cr3 Annealed or 55Cr3 Cold Drawn?
55Cr3 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for 55Cr3 Annealed; for welding the order is 55Cr3 Annealed first (poor, 25/100) then 55Cr3 Cold Drawn (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 55Cr3 Annealed and 55Cr3 Cold Drawn 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.