Steel O2 Cold Drawn vs O2 H&T 54-56 HRC
Steel · O2 temper comparison
O2 Cold Drawn and O2 H&T 54-56 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, O2: Cold Drawn versus H&T 54-56 HRC (hardened & Tempered 54–56 HRC). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. O2 H&T 54-56 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for O2 Cold Drawn, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi). In exchange, O2 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 15% versus 3% for O2 H&T 54-56 HRC, and O2 H&T 54-56 HRC is harder (560 HB vs 225 HB). O2 H&T 54-56 HRC runs hotter in service (300°C vs 200°C continuous) and O2 Cold Drawn conducts electricity better (8 % IACS vs 6.6 % IACS). On the shop floor, O2 Cold Drawn machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and O2 Cold Drawn welds better (poor vs not recommended).
O2 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
O2 H&T 54-56 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
O2 Cold Drawn vs O2 H&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.
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: 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 7.85 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) 12.5 µm/m·K6.9 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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 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: Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 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.
O2 Cold Drawn vs O2 H&T 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
Is O2 H&T 54-56 HRC stronger than O2 Cold Drawn?
Yes. O2 H&T 54-56 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) against 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) for O2 Cold Drawn — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or H&T 54-56 HRC?
Annealed is the default O2 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn nor H&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, O2 Cold Drawn or O2 H&T 54-56 HRC?
O2 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (46/100) against not recommended (10/100) for O2 H&T 54-56 HRC; for welding the order is O2 Cold Drawn first (poor, 15/100) then O2 H&T 54-56 HRC (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in O2 Cold Drawn and O2 H&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.