Steel DC53 Annealed vs DC53 Nitrided
Steel · DC53 temper comparison
DC53 Annealed and DC53 Nitrided are two conditions of the same steel grade, DC53: Annealed versus Nitrided. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. DC53 Nitrided is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for DC53 Annealed, about 3.5 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). In exchange, DC53 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 1% for DC53 Nitrided, and DC53 Nitrided is harder (63 HRC vs 21 HRC). DC53 Annealed runs hotter in service (500°C vs 450°C continuous) and DC53 Annealed conducts electricity better (2.9 % IACS vs 2.5 % IACS). On the shop floor, DC53 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and DC53 Annealed welds better (poor vs not recommended).
DC53 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
DC53 NitridedChoose it when strength drives the design.
DC53 Annealed vs DC53 Nitrided: 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 215 GPa31.2 Msi · Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Brinell 230 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 98 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,350°C2,462 °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) 11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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 78 / 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 60 L/kg7.2 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.
DC53 Annealed vs DC53 Nitrided — frequently asked
Is DC53 Nitrided stronger than DC53 Annealed?
Yes. DC53 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for DC53 Annealed — about 3.5 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Nitrided?
Annealed is the default DC53 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, DC53 Annealed or DC53 Nitrided?
DC53 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against not recommended (3/100) for DC53 Nitrided; for welding the order is DC53 Annealed first (poor, 20/100) then DC53 Nitrided (not recommended, 3/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in DC53 Annealed and DC53 Nitrided 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.