Steel GCr15 Cold Drawn vs GCr15 Q&T
Steel · GCr15 temper comparison
GCr15 Cold Drawn and GCr15 Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, GCr15: Cold Drawn versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. GCr15 Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) against 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) for GCr15 Cold Drawn, about 177% more; tensile strength follows at 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). In exchange, GCr15 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 1% for GCr15 Q&T, and GCr15 Cold Drawn is harder (240 HB vs 195 HB). On the shop floor, GCr15 Cold Drawn machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and GCr15 Cold Drawn welds better (poor vs not recommended).
GCr15 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
GCr15 Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
GCr15 Cold Drawn vs GCr15 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.
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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: 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.
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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 150°C302 °F · 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 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 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 Cold Drawn vs GCr15 Q&T — frequently asked
Is GCr15 Q&T stronger than GCr15 Cold Drawn?
Yes. GCr15 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) against 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) for GCr15 Cold Drawn — about 177% more. Tensile strength is 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Q&T?
Annealed is the default GCr15 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn 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, GCr15 Cold Drawn or GCr15 Q&T?
GCr15 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against not recommended (10/100) for GCr15 Q&T; for welding the order is GCr15 Cold Drawn first (poor, 15/100) then GCr15 Q&T (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in GCr15 Cold Drawn and GCr15 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.