Steel 9254-CD vs 9254 Q&T
Steel · 9254 temper comparison
9254-CD and 9254 Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, 9254: CD (cold drawn) versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 9254 Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 950 MPa (138 ksi) for 9254-CD, about 79% more; tensile strength follows at 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi). 9254 Q&T is harder — 500 HB against 330 HB for 9254-CD — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 9254 Q&T runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, 9254-CD machines more easily (fair vs poor), 9254-CD welds better (poor vs not recommended), and 9254-CD forms better (poor vs not recommended).
9254-CDChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
9254 Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
9254-CD vs 9254 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)
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 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 7% · Reduction in Area 25%
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 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 -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 7.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 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: Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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.
9254-CD vs 9254 Q&T — frequently asked
Is 9254 Q&T stronger than 9254-CD?
Yes. 9254 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 950 MPa (138 ksi) for 9254-CD — about 79% more. Tensile strength is 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or Q&T?
HR is the default 9254 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, 9254-CD or 9254 Q&T?
9254-CD. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (15/100) for 9254 Q&T; for welding the order is 9254-CD first (poor, 20/100) then 9254 Q&T (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 9254-CD and 9254 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.