Steel GCr15 Annealed vs GCr15 Cold Drawn
Steel · GCr15 temper comparison
GCr15 Annealed and GCr15 Cold Drawn are two conditions of the same steel grade, GCr15: Annealed versus Cold Drawn. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. GCr15 Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for GCr15 Annealed, about 55% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi). In exchange, GCr15 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 10% for GCr15 Cold Drawn, and GCr15 Cold Drawn is harder (240 HB vs 195 HB). GCr15 Annealed runs hotter in service (400°C vs 150°C continuous).
GCr15 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
GCr15 Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design.
GCr15 Annealed vs GCr15 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.
GCr15 AnnealedGCr15 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 B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.81 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.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.9 µm/m·K6.6 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 7.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V · Corrosion Resistance 14 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100 · Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 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.
GCr15 Annealed vs GCr15 Cold Drawn — frequently asked
Is GCr15 Cold Drawn stronger than GCr15 Annealed?
Yes. GCr15 Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for GCr15 Annealed — about 55% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 700 MPa (102 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Drawn?
Annealed is the default GCr15 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, GCr15 Annealed or GCr15 Cold Drawn?
GCr15 Cold Drawn, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 50/100 against 45/100 for GCr15 Annealed.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in GCr15 Annealed and GCr15 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.