Steel Silicon Steel Annealed vs Silicon Steel Cold Rolled
Steel · Silicon Steel temper comparison
Silicon Steel Annealed and Silicon Steel Cold Rolled are two conditions of the same steel grade, Silicon Steel: Annealed versus Cold Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Silicon Steel Cold Rolled is the stronger of the two: yield strength 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Silicon Steel Annealed, about 81% more; tensile strength follows at 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi). In exchange, Silicon Steel Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 5% for Silicon Steel Cold Rolled, and Silicon Steel Cold Rolled is harder (222 HB vs 170 HB). Silicon Steel Annealed runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous).
Silicon Steel AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
Silicon Steel Cold RolledChoose it when strength drives the design.
Silicon Steel Annealed vs Silicon Steel Cold Rolled: 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.
Silicon Steel AnnealedSilicon Steel Cold Rolled
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
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 7.65 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,500°C2,732 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,520°C2,768 °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 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -60°C-76 °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 50 / 100 · Polishability 50 / 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.
Silicon Steel Annealed vs Silicon Steel Cold Rolled — frequently asked
Is Silicon Steel Cold Rolled stronger than Silicon Steel Annealed?
Yes. Silicon Steel Cold Rolled has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) against 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) for Silicon Steel Annealed — about 81% more. Tensile strength is 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Cold Rolled?
Annealed is the default Silicon Steel 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, Silicon Steel Annealed or Silicon Steel Cold Rolled?
Silicon Steel Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (32/100) for Silicon Steel Cold Rolled; for welding the order is Silicon Steel Annealed first (fair, 45/100) then Silicon Steel Cold Rolled (fair, 38/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Silicon Steel Annealed and Silicon Steel Cold Rolled 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.