Refractory Metal Zr 700-CW (Cold worked)
Supply condition
UNS R60700 · ASTM B550/B551 Grade 700
Highest strength and springback for thin strip, foil and drawn wire where no further forming is required.
Values for the CW condition
Other Zr 700 tempers and conditions
Zr 700 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Zr 700.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault recrystallization annealed (mill anneal) | Standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, strip, bar and forgings; maximum ductility for forming, bending and welding. | 190 | 330 | 32 | 120 HB | — |
Hot worked / as-forged | Use for heavy plate, forged blocks and flanges supplied hot worked without a final full anneal; slightly higher strength, coarser surface. | 230 | 360 | 26 | 135 HB | 4.3 % IACS |
cold worked and stress relieved | Pick for bar, wire and tube needing higher yield strength and dimensional stability while retaining useful ductility. | 350 | 450 | 18 | 160 HB | — |
CWThis page Cold worked | Highest strength and springback for thin strip, foil and drawn wire where no further forming is required. | 440 | 520 | 10 | 185 HB | — |
What is Zr 700-CW?
Zr 700-CW is Zr 700 supplied in the CW condition — highest strength and springback for thin strip, foil and drawn wire where no further forming is required. Zr 700-CW has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 69% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 99 GPa (14.4 Msi). Zr 700-CW has a density of 6.51 g/cm³ (0.235 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,852°C (3,366 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 99% of refractory metal grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), better than 84% of refractory metal grades
- Lightweight — 6.51 g/cm³ (0.235 lb/in³), better than 84% of refractory metal grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 100% of refractory metal grades
- Low stiffness — 99 GPa (14.4 Msi), worse than 79% of refractory metal grades
Zr 700-CW properties
Typical room-temperature values for Zr 700-CW; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Zr 700 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among refractory metal grades.
Physical3
Zr 700-CW has a density of 6.51 g/cm³ (0.235 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of refractory metal grades. It melts at 1,852°C (3,366 °F).
Mechanical16
Zr 700-CW has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 69% of refractory metal grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 99 GPa (14.4 Msi).
Thermal6
Zr 700-CW is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 66% of refractory metal grades. Thermal expansion is 5.9 µm/m·K (3.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Zr 700-CW conducts electricity at 4.3 % IACS, worse than 62% of refractory metal grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), better than 75% of refractory metal grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Zr 700-CW takes about 1,400 MJ of energy and emits 90 kg of CO₂ — more than 67% of refractory metal grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
Zr 700-CW's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 99% of refractory metal grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Zr 700-CW
Is Zr 700 easy to machine?
Run slow-speed, heavy-feed, sharp positive-rake carbide with flood chlorinated-free coolant; never dry-grind — fine Zr chips and dust are pyrophoric and must be kept wet and stored under water or oil.
Can Zr 700 be welded?
GTAW/plasma or EBW with high-purity argon trailing shields and backing (or a chamber); keep O, N and H pickup low, clean and pickle before welding, and check for a bright silver bead — straw/blue/grey means embrittlement.
Can Zr 700 be formed, bent or molded?
Best-forming zirconium grade: cold bend, deep-draw and spin readily with generous radii (≥3t), slow speeds and non-chlorinated lubricants; warm form at 200–300 °C for severe draws, stress relieve at 540 °C.
What surface finishes work on Zr 700?
Pickle in HNO3/HF to remove oxide and forming lubricant before service or welding; anodizing gives decorative colours, and glass-bead or vibratory finishing is preferred over abrasive grinding for safety.
Zr 700 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Hfcounted within Zr+Hf | ≤ 4.5 | 2 |
| Fe+Cr | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Olow-oxygen limit is what distinguishes Zr 700 from Zr 702 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.07 |
| C | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| H | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Zr+Hfhafnium is not removed in industrial grades | ≥ 99.2 (balance) | — |
Zr 700-CW — frequently asked
What is Zr 700-CW used for?
Zr 700-CW is typically used for formed sheet components, deep-drawn parts and specialty corrosion-resistant tubing. In short: most formable zirconium grade; low-oxygen ductile CP zirconium; deep-drawing corrosion grade.
What is the yield strength of Zr 700-CW?
Zr 700-CW has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 69% of refractory metal grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Zr 700-CW easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 99% of refractory metal grades). Run slow-speed, heavy-feed, sharp positive-rake carbide with flood chlorinated-free coolant; never dry-grind — fine Zr chips and dust are pyrophoric and must be kept wet and stored under water or oil.
Can Zr 700-CW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). GTAW/plasma or EBW with high-purity argon trailing shields and backing (or a chamber); keep O, N and H pickup low, clean and pickle before welding, and check for a bright silver bead — straw/blue/grey means embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on Zr 700-CW?
Pickle in HNO3/HF to remove oxide and forming lubricant before service or welding; anodizing gives decorative colours, and glass-bead or vibratory finishing is preferred over abrasive grinding for safety.
Can Zr 700-CW be formed, bent or molded?
Best-forming zirconium grade: cold bend, deep-draw and spin readily with generous radii (≥3t), slow speeds and non-chlorinated lubricants; warm form at 200–300 °C for severe draws, stress relieve at 540 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of Zr 700-CW?
Zr 700-CW is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Zr 700 Annealed and Zr 700-CW?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for plate, sheet, strip, bar and forgings; maximum ductility for forming, bending and welding. CW: highest strength and springback for thin strip, foil and drawn wire where no further forming is required. Yield strength is 190 MPa in Annealed versus 440 MPa in CW.
Sources
- ASTM B550/B550M — Zirconium and Zirconium Alloy Bar and Wire — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM B551/B551M — Zirconium and Zirconium Alloy Strip, Sheet and Plate — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM B493 — Zirconium and Zirconium Alloy Forgings — ASTM International (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Zirconium) — ASM International (1990)
- ATI / Wah Chang Zirconium Alloys technical data — ATI Specialty Materials (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.