Stainless Steel CX · heat-treated state
Stainless Steel CX Solution Annealed
Properties of the Solution Annealed condition, compared with the other CX tempers.
Resets the microstructure and homogenises AM texture before aging; softest, most machinable condition.
What is CX Solution Annealed?
CX Solution Annealed is CX heat treated to Solution Annealed — resets the microstructure and homogenises AM texture before aging; softest, most machinable condition. CX Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 185 GPa (26.8 Msi). CX Solution Annealed 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). As Printed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Solution Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 800 MPa (116 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 6.8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
CX Solution Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for CX Solution Annealed — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every CX temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
CX Solution Annealed 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).
Mechanical15
CX Solution Annealed has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 185 GPa (26.8 Msi).
Thermal6
CX Solution Annealed is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 18 W/m·K (10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CX Solution Annealed conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CX Solution Annealed takes about 78 MJ of energy and emits 6.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 87% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
CX Solution Annealed's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other CX tempers and conditions
CX is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the CX overview.
- As PrintedDefaultPick for parts that will be machined/EDM'd first and aged afterwards; already ~33 HRC with good machinability.900 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedStandard service condition for injection-mould inserts: peak hardness and wear resistance with minimal dimensional change.1,550 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- Aged 560Pick when impact toughness and crack resistance matter more than peak hardness (large inserts, shock-loaded tooling).1,330 MPa yield · 45 HRC
- Stress RelievedUse to remove build stresses before plate removal; note the hold overlaps the aging window so hardness and strength rise.1,300 MPa yield · 45 HRC
- Solution AnnealedResets the microstructure and homogenises AM texture before aging; softest, most machinable condition.800 MPa yield · 34 HRC
Working with CX Solution Annealed
Is CX easy to machine?
Machine in the as-printed or solution-annealed state (~33 HRC) with carbide/coated tools and rigid setups; after aging to 50 HRC switch to hard-milling, grinding or EDM.
Can CX be welded?
Weldable without preheat using matching low-carbon maraging stainless filler or TIG autogenous repair; re-age at 525 °C to restore weld-zone hardness.
Can CX be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF only in practice — print with parameter sets for 12Cr-9Ni-Al, keep build plate warm and stress relieve before plate removal; cold forming of finished parts is not viable.
What surface finishes work on CX?
Takes a mirror polish for optical mould surfaces; passivate after machining, and PVD or nitriding can be applied below the aging temperature to avoid softening.
CX 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, maraging type | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Crpassivity | 11.5 – 12.5 | 12 |
| Nimartensite + Ni-Al precipitates | 8.5 – 9.5 | 9 |
| Mopitting resistance | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| AlNiAl precipitation hardening | 1.4 – 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Ogas-atomized powder | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
CX Solution Annealed — frequently asked
What is CX Solution Annealed used for?
CX Solution Annealed is typically used for conformally cooled injection mould inserts, mould cores and cavities, optical-grade moulding surfaces, blow and extrusion mould tooling, medical device moulding tools and tooling for corrosive polymers such as PVC. In short: printed corrosion tool steel.
What is the yield strength of CX Solution Annealed?
CX Solution Annealed has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is CX Solution Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the as-printed or solution-annealed state (~33 HRC) with carbide/coated tools and rigid setups; after aging to 50 HRC switch to hard-milling, grinding or EDM.
Can CX Solution Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Weldable without preheat using matching low-carbon maraging stainless filler or TIG autogenous repair; re-age at 525 °C to restore weld-zone hardness.
What surface finishes work on CX Solution Annealed?
Takes a mirror polish for optical mould surfaces; passivate after machining, and PVD or nitriding can be applied below the aging temperature to avoid softening.
Can CX Solution Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
LPBF only in practice — print with parameter sets for 12Cr-9Ni-Al, keep build plate warm and stress relieve before plate removal; cold forming of finished parts is not viable.
What is the maximum service temperature of CX Solution Annealed?
CX Solution Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CX As Printed and CX-HIP?
As Printed is the default condition — pick for parts that will be machined/EDM'd first and aged afterwards; already ~33 HRC with good machinability. HIP: choose for fatigue- or pressure-critical parts where residual LPBF porosity must be closed before aging. Yield strength is 900 MPa in As Printed versus 790 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in CX Solution Annealed?
Yes — CX Solution Annealed is available for 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Uddeholm Corrax — precipitation hardening stainless mould steel — Uddeholm / voestalpine (2020)
- EOS StainlessSteel CX material data sheet — EOS GmbH (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM F3184 / ASTM F3055-series practice for PBF stainless steels (analogous requirements) — ASTM (2016)
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.