Steel O1 Cold Drawn vs O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC
Steel · O1 temper comparison
O1 Cold Drawn and O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, O1: Cold Drawn versus Q&T 54-56 HRC (Q&T, tempered ~400 °C). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for O1 Cold Drawn, about 186% more; tensile strength follows at 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi). In exchange, O1 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 5% for O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC, and O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC is harder (575 HB vs 225 HB). O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC runs hotter in service (350°C vs 200°C continuous) and O1 Cold Drawn conducts electricity better (7 % IACS vs 6 % IACS). On the shop floor, O1 Cold Drawn machines more easily (fair vs poor) and O1 Cold Drawn welds better (poor vs not recommended).
O1 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
O1 Q&T 54-56 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
O1 Cold Drawn vs O1 Q&T 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, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,460°C2,660 °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) 11.9 µm/m·K6.6 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: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 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: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 32 MJ/kg13,758 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
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.
O1 Cold Drawn vs O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
Is O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC stronger than O1 Cold Drawn?
Yes. O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) against 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) for O1 Cold Drawn — about 186% more. Tensile strength is 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Q&T 54-56 HRC?
Annealed is the default O1 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn nor Q&T 54-56 HRC). 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, O1 Cold Drawn or O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC?
O1 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (48/100) against poor (15/100) for O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC; for welding the order is O1 Cold Drawn first (poor, 20/100) then O1 Q&T 54-56 HRC (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in O1 Cold Drawn and O1 Q&T 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.