Steel S2 Cold Drawn vs S2 Q&T
Steel · S2 temper comparison
S2 Cold Drawn and S2 Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, S2: Cold Drawn versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. S2 Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S2 Cold Drawn, about 174% more; tensile strength follows at 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi). In exchange, S2 Cold Drawn is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 6% for S2 Q&T, and S2 Cold Drawn is harder (235 HB vs 200 HB). On the shop floor, S2 Cold Drawn machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).
S2 Cold DrawnChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
S2 Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
S2 Cold Drawn vs S2 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.
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 207 GPa30 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 7.79 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,500°C2,732 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 25.5 W/m·K14.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 477 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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 200°C392 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 5.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 3.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.2 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 12 / 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 35 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
S2 Cold Drawn vs S2 Q&T — frequently asked
Is S2 Q&T stronger than S2 Cold Drawn?
Yes. S2 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for S2 Cold Drawn — about 174% more. Tensile strength is 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 850 MPa (123 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Q&T?
Annealed is the default S2 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, S2 Cold Drawn or S2 Q&T?
S2 Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates fair (48/100) against not recommended (12/100) for S2 Q&T.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in S2 Cold Drawn and S2 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.