Steel A2 Annealed vs A2 HT 54-56 HRC
Steel · A2 temper comparison
A2 Annealed and A2 HT 54-56 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, A2: Annealed versus HT 54-56 HRC (hardened & Tempered 54–56 HRC). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. A2 HT 54-56 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for A2 Annealed, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) vs 740 MPa (107 ksi). In exchange, A2 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 3% for A2 HT 54-56 HRC, and A2 HT 54-56 HRC is harder (595 HV vs 230 HV). On the shop floor, A2 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs poor) and A2 Annealed welds better (poor vs not recommended).
A2 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
A2 HT 54-56 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design.
A2 Annealed vs A2 HT 54-56 HRC: 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
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, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Hardness, Brinell 217 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 96 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.86 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,465°C2,669 °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 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.7 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 20 / 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 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 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.
A2 Annealed vs A2 HT 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
Is A2 HT 54-56 HRC stronger than A2 Annealed?
Yes. A2 HT 54-56 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) against 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) for A2 Annealed — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) vs 740 MPa (107 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or HT 54-56 HRC?
Annealed is the default A2 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, A2 Annealed or A2 HT 54-56 HRC?
A2 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (18/100) for A2 HT 54-56 HRC; for welding the order is A2 Annealed first (poor, 20/100) then A2 HT 54-56 HRC (not recommended, 10/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A2 Annealed and A2 HT 54-56 HRC 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.