Steel Custom 455 A-CD vs Custom 455-H900
Steel · Custom 455 temper comparison
Custom 455 A-CD and Custom 455-H900 are two conditions of the same steel grade, Custom 455: A-CD (condition A, cold drawn bar/wire) versus H900 (aged 482 °C (900 °F) for 1 h, peak hardness). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Custom 455-H900 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) against 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) for Custom 455 A-CD, about 57% more; tensile strength follows at 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) vs 1,170 MPa (170 ksi). Custom 455-H900 is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 8% for Custom 455 A-CD, and Custom 455-H900 is harder (470 HB vs 331 HB). On the shop floor, Custom 455 A-CD machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Custom 455 A-CD welds better (50 vs 40 out of 100).
Custom 455 A-CDChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
Custom 455-H900Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Custom 455 A-CD vs Custom 455-H900: 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.
Custom 455 A-CDCustom 455-H900
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 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 166 GPa24.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.76 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 17.6 W/m·K10.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.2 µm/m·K5.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -73°C-99 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V
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 35 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 65 MJ/kg27,945 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 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.
Custom 455 A-CD vs Custom 455-H900 — frequently asked
Is Custom 455-H900 stronger than Custom 455 A-CD?
Yes. Custom 455-H900 has a typical yield strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) against 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) for Custom 455 A-CD — about 57% more. Tensile strength is 1,720 MPa (249 ksi) vs 1,170 MPa (170 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, A-CD or H900?
H1000 is the default Custom 455 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A-CD nor H900). 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, Custom 455 A-CD or Custom 455-H900?
Custom 455 A-CD. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (20/100) for Custom 455-H900; for welding the order is Custom 455 A-CD first (fair, 50/100) then Custom 455-H900 (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Custom 455 A-CD and Custom 455-H900 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.