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Stainless Steel 415-CD (Cold drawn)

Supply condition

AISI/SAE 415 · UNS S41500 · ASTM A487 Gr CA6NM

Small-diameter bar with tight tolerance and bright finish; slightly higher yield, lower ductility than QT780.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the CD condition

Other 415 tempers and conditions

415 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 415.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Quenched and tempered, Rm 650–850 MPa
Maximum-toughness condition for thick turbine castings/forgings and sour or low-temperature service.5207302219 HRC—
Solution annealed
Softest supply condition for heavy machining or cold work before final quench-and-temper.5507202217 HRC—
ASTM A487 Gr. CA6NM Class A, normalized and tempered casting
Cast counterpart used for hydro turbine runners and pump casings; same metallurgy, slightly lower minimum strength and ductility than wrought.6908301824 HRC—
QT780Default
Quenched and double tempered, Rm 780–980 MPa
Standard commercial condition: best balance of 620 MPa yield, high CVN and weldability — pick this unless a spec says otherwise.7008501825 HRC—
CDThis page
Cold drawn
Small-diameter bar with tight tolerance and bright finish; slightly higher yield, lower ductility than QT780.7809001429 HRC2.9 % IACS
As-welded deposit
Untempered fresh martensite in weld/HAZ — hard and low toughness; post-weld temper at 580–620 °C is normally required.8001,0001238 HRC2.9 % IACS
Quenched and tempered, Rm 900–1100 MPa
Highest-strength standard condition for shafts and highly loaded parts where toughness and NACE hardness limits are less critical.8709801531 HRC—

What is 415-CD?

415-CD is 415 supplied in the CD condition — small-diameter bar with tight tolerance and bright finish; slightly higher yield, lower ductility than QT780. 415-CD has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 95% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 415-CD has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). QT780 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 780 MPa (113 ksi), better than 95% of stainless steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
  • Needs corrosion protection — 46/100, worse than 82% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 82% of stainless steel grades

415-CD properties

Typical room-temperature values for 415-CD; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 415 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

415-CD has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).

Density7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,400°C2,552 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,480°C2,696 °F

Mechanical16

415-CD has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 95% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus77 GPa11.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)900 MPa131 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)780 MPa113 ksi
Elongation at Break14%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength800 MPa116 ksi
Shear Strength550 MPa79.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)420 MPa60.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)80 J59 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell285 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C29 HRC
Hardness, Vickers300 HV

Thermal6

415-CD is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity430 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-100°C-148 °F

Electrical3

415-CD conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is fair (46/100), worse than 82% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.3 V
Corrosion ResistanceFair46/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood in fresh water, steam, mildly aggressive atmospheres and low-velocity seawater with cathodic protection; resists cavitation-erosion well. Limited pitting/crevice resistance in warm chloride media and not suitable for reducing acids (HCl, dilute H2SO4); susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement above ~32 HRC.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 415-CD takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4.5 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water140 L/kg16.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content50%

Manufacturability8

415-CD's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability poor (22/100).

MachinabilityFair42/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)45%
WeldabilityGood65/100
Formability (cold)Poor22/100
CastabilityVery good70/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityGood65/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 415-CD

Is 415 easy to machine?

Machines like a 28 HRC alloy steel — rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed and heavy feed to avoid work-hardened glaze; rough in the annealed condition when possible.

Can 415 be welded?

Best-welding martensitic stainless: use matching 410NiMo filler, preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections, keep interpass <150 °C and post-weld temper 580–620 °C (never 450–550 °C).

Can 415 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work at 1150–950 °C then air cool and temper; cold forming is limited to gentle bending with generous radii — final quench 950–1050 °C + double temper is preferred.

What surface finishes work on 415?

Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining; takes a good mirror polish, and hard-chrome or thermal-spray overlays are common on turbine and shaft wear surfaces.

415 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Clow carbon gives soft, tough lath martensite≤ 0.050.03
Si≤ 0.60.3
Mn0.5 – 10.75
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.030.01
Cr11.5 – 1412.75
Ni3.5 – 5.54.5
Mo0.5 – 10.7
Nlimited in some product specs / EN 1.4313≤ 0.030.02
Febalance—

415-CD — frequently asked

What is 415-CD used for?

415-CD is typically used for hydro turbine runners, pump shafts, valve bodies and compressor parts. In short: best-welding martensitic stainless; wrought CA6NM equivalent; tough at 700 MPa yield.

What is the yield strength of 415-CD?

415-CD has a typical yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 95% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is 415-CD easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a 28 HRC alloy steel — rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speed and heavy feed to avoid work-hardened glaze; rough in the annealed condition when possible.

Can 415-CD be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Best-welding martensitic stainless: use matching 410NiMo filler, preheat 100–150 °C on heavy sections, keep interpass <150 °C and post-weld temper 580–620 °C (never 450–550 °C).

What surface finishes work on 415-CD?

Passivate per ASTM A967 or electropolish after machining; takes a good mirror polish, and hard-chrome or thermal-spray overlays are common on turbine and shaft wear surfaces.

Can 415-CD be formed, bent or molded?

Hot work at 1150–950 °C then air cool and temper; cold forming is limited to gentle bending with generous radii — final quench 950–1050 °C + double temper is preferred.

What is the maximum service temperature of 415-CD?

415-CD is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 415-QT780 and 415-QT650?

QT780 is the default condition — standard commercial condition: best balance of 620 MPa yield, high CVN and weldability — pick this unless a spec says otherwise. QT650: maximum-toughness condition for thick turbine castings/forgings and sour or low-temperature service. Yield strength is 700 MPa in QT780 versus 520 MPa in QT650.

Sources

  1. ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip (UNS S41500) — ASTM International (2023)
  2. ASTM A182/A182M — Forged or Rolled Alloy and Stainless Steel Pipe Flanges and Fittings (Grade F6NM) — ASTM International (2022)
  3. ASTM A487/A487M — Steel Castings Suitable for Pressure Service (Grade CA6NM) — ASTM International (2020)
  4. EN 10088-3 — Stainless steels, Part 3: Semi-finished products, bars, rods (X3CrNiMo13-4, 1.4313) — CEN (2014)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
  7. Soft martensitic stainless 1.4313 / S41500 datasheet — Böhler / Sandvik / Outokumpu (2022)
  8. GB/T 1220 ZG06Cr13Ni4Mo (2007)

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.