Stainless Steel 204-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 204 · UNS S20400
Bar and wire condition with improved straightness, surface finish and yield strength for machined fittings and fasteners.
Values for the CD condition
Other 204 tempers and conditions
204 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 204.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Default stocked condition for sheet, coil, plate and tube where forming, deep drawing or welding follows. | 500 | 730 | 45 | 210 HB | — |
1/8 Hard | Choose when slightly higher yield and better flatness/stiffness are needed but forming is still required. | 550 | 800 | 30 | 23 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Use for spring-back-tolerant panels, clamps, straps and structural strip needing ~2× the yield of annealed material. | 690 | 930 | 20 | 25 HRC | — |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Bar and wire condition with improved straightness, surface finish and yield strength for machined fittings and fasteners. | 700 | 900 | 18 | 24 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Half hard | For flat springs, brackets and abrasion-exposed strip where only mild bending is done. | 830 | 1,070 | 12 | 32 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | High-strength strip for clips and shims where forming is limited to gentle radii. | 960 | 1,210 | 8 | 36 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum-strength flat strip for spring clips and wear strips; essentially no formability beyond flat blanking. | 1,070 | 1,320 | 5 | 40 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is 204-CD?
204-CD is 204 supplied in the CD condition — bar and wire condition with improved straightness, surface finish and yield strength for machined fittings and fasteners. 204-CD has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 204-CD has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 92% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 44/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
204-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 204-CD; 24 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 204 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
204-CD has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
204-CD has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
204-CD is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 14.5 W/m·K (8.38 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
204-CD conducts electricity at 2.4 % IACS, better than 67% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (44/100), worse than 88% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 204-CD takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
204-CD's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 204-CD
Is 204 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can 204 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 209/308L type filler; keep heat input low and interpass cool to limit hot cracking and sensitization; no preheat needed.
Can 204 be formed, bent or molded?
Good deep-drawing and roll-forming behaviour but high work-hardening rate means higher press loads, larger springback and more frequent interstage annealing than 304.
What surface finishes work on 204?
Takes 2B, BA and No.4 finishes and electropolishes well; passivate after machining/welding, and avoid chloride-rich outdoor exposure to prevent tea-staining.
204 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon to limit sensitization | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mnaustenite stabilizer replacing Ni | 7 – 9 | 8 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 15 – 17.5 | 16 |
| Nireduced vs 304 (8–10.5%) | 1.5 – 3 | 2 |
| Nmain strengthener and austenite stabilizer | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Fe | balance | — |
204-CD — frequently asked
What is 204-CD used for?
204-CD is typically used for appliance panels, sinks, decorative trim and cookware. In short: low-nickel 304 substitute; high work-hardening sheet; indoor-service corrosion only.
What is the yield strength of 204-CD?
204-CD has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 204-CD easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant, avoid dwelling.
Can 204-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 209/308L type filler; keep heat input low and interpass cool to limit hot cracking and sensitization; no preheat needed.
What surface finishes work on 204-CD?
Takes 2B, BA and No.4 finishes and electropolishes well; passivate after machining/welding, and avoid chloride-rich outdoor exposure to prevent tea-staining.
Can 204-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Good deep-drawing and roll-forming behaviour but high work-hardening rate means higher press loads, larger springback and more frequent interstage annealing than 304.
What is the maximum service temperature of 204-CD?
204-CD is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 204-ANN and 204-FH?
ANN is the default condition — default stocked condition for sheet, coil, plate and tube where forming, deep drawing or welding follows. FH: maximum-strength flat strip for spring clips and wear strips; essentially no formability beyond flat blanking. Yield strength is 500 MPa in ANN versus 1,070 MPa in FH.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Low-nickel Cr-Mn austenitic stainless (200-series) product data — Outokumpu / AK Steel (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.