Stainless Steel 442-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 442 · UNS S44200
Use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar.
Values for the CD condition
Other 442 tempers and conditions
442 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 442.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved after welding/forming (~750–800 °C) | Applied to welded furnace assemblies to restore ductility and reduce residual stress; avoid slow cooling through 400–550 °C. | 300 | 535 | 24 | 170 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault mill annealed (softened) condition | Default stock condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum ductility and best oxidation performance for furnace parts. | 310 | 550 | 25 | 175 HB | — |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. | 480 | 650 | 15 | 210 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Occasional strip condition for stiffer flat parts that need only mild bending after rolling. | 520 | 690 | 10 | 220 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
What is 442-CD?
442-CD is 442 supplied in the CD condition — use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. 442-CD has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 442-CD has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 480 MPa (69.6 ksi), better than 75% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 40/100, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
442-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 442-CD; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 442 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
442-CD has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical13
442-CD has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
442-CD is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 20.9 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
442-CD conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (54/100), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 442-CD takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
442-CD's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 442-CD
Is 442 easy to machine?
Machines like 430 at ~55 % of AISI 1212: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and generous coolant to avoid work-hardened skin and built-up edge.
Can 442 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 309/430Nb-type or Ni-base filler, but keep heat input low, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections and post-weld anneal ~760–800 °C to counter HAZ grain coarsening and 475 °C embrittlement.
Can 442 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms adequately in mild bends and shallow draws with generous bend radii (≥2t) and warm forming for severe shapes; anneal at 760–830 °C and air cool — do not expect austenitic-grade stretch.
What surface finishes work on 442?
Finish by pickling/passivation, electropolishing or mechanical polishing; not anodisable — for high-temperature parts a controlled pre-oxidation gives a stable adherent Cr₂O₃ scale.
442 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per ASTM A176/A240 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Crhigh Cr gives the improved scaling resistance | 18 – 23 | 20.5 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| N | ≤ 0.25 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
442-CD — frequently asked
What is 442-CD used for?
442-CD is typically used for furnace parts, heat-treating fixtures and high-temperature exhaust components. In short: highest-temperature 4xx ferritic; nickel-free scaling resistance; limited weldability.
What is the yield strength of 442-CD?
442-CD has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 442-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 91% of stainless steel grades). Machines like 430 at ~55 % of AISI 1212: use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feeds and generous coolant to avoid work-hardened skin and built-up edge.
Can 442-CD be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW with 309/430Nb-type or Ni-base filler, but keep heat input low, preheat 150–250 °C on heavy sections and post-weld anneal ~760–800 °C to counter HAZ grain coarsening and 475 °C embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on 442-CD?
Finish by pickling/passivation, electropolishing or mechanical polishing; not anodisable — for high-temperature parts a controlled pre-oxidation gives a stable adherent Cr₂O₃ scale.
Can 442-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forms adequately in mild bends and shallow draws with generous bend radii (≥2t) and warm forming for severe shapes; anneal at 760–830 °C and air cool — do not expect austenitic-grade stretch.
What is the maximum service temperature of 442-CD?
442-CD is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 442 Annealed and 442-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, sheet, bar and tube; maximum ductility and best oxidation performance for furnace parts. CD: use for machined shafts, studs and fittings needing tighter tolerance and higher strength than annealed bar. Yield strength is 310 MPa in Annealed versus 480 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A176 — Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2022)
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10095 — Heat resisting steels and nickel alloys (incl. 1.4742) — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing, and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
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.