Stainless Steel S32950-CW (Cold worked)
Supply condition
UNS S32950
Springs, clamps and wire products where maximum strength outweighs ductility and toughness.
Values for the CW condition
Other S32950 tempers and conditions
S32950 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S32950.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forged and Solution Annealed | Flanges, valve bodies and fittings; requires post-forge solution anneal and quench to restore phase balance. | 555 | 790 | 25 | 26 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault Solution Annealed (≈1010–1120 °C, rapid quench) | Standard supply condition for plate, bar, tube and fittings; best corrosion resistance and toughness. | 560 | 800 | 27 | 26 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
As-welded deposit | Reference condition for weld-joint design; over-alloyed filler (e.g. ER2209/25.10.4L) keeps austenite balance. | 560 | 780 | 22 | 27 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for shafts, fasteners and pump parts needing higher yield and tighter tolerance than annealed bar. | 700 | 880 | 20 | 31 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
CWThis page Cold worked | Springs, clamps and wire products where maximum strength outweighs ductility and toughness. | 830 | 1,000 | 14 | 35 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
What is S32950-CW?
S32950-CW is S32950 supplied in the CW condition — springs, clamps and wire products where maximum strength outweighs ductility and toughness. S32950-CW has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S32950-CW has a density of 7.74 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 830 MPa (120 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 74/100, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 85 MPa·√m (77.4 ksi·√in), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
S32950-CW properties
Typical room-temperature values for S32950-CW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S32950 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S32950-CW has a density of 7.74 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 72% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,385°C (2,525 °F).
Mechanical17
S32950-CW has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S32950-CW is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 15.5 W/m·K (8.96 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.8 µm/m·K (7.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S32950-CW conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S32950-CW takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
S32950-CW's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S32950-CW
Is S32950 easy to machine?
Machines like 2205 but tougher: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, 60–100 m/min surface speed, heavy feeds to cut through the work-hardened layer, and copious coolant.
Can S32950 be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with over-alloyed 2209/25.10.4L filler, no preheat, low-to-moderate heat input (≈0.5–2.0 kJ/mm), interpass below 150 °C, Ar+N₂ backing; avoid PWHT unless a full solution anneal and quench is possible.
Can S32950 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with roughly twice the force of 316L and allow for high springback; hot work 950–1150 °C followed by mandatory solution anneal and rapid quench.
What surface finishes work on S32950?
Pickle in HNO₃/HF and passivate per ASTM A380/A967 to restore the chromium oxide film; can be mechanically ground or polished, not anodizable.
S32950 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cr | 26 – 29 | 27.5 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5.2 | 4.3 |
| Mo | 1 – 2.5 | 1.7 |
| N | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Febalance, ≈64–66 % | balance | — |
S32950-CW — frequently asked
What is S32950-CW used for?
S32950-CW is typically used for pressure vessels, heat exchangers and chemical processing equipment. In short: between 2205 and super duplex; higher chloride resistance than 2205; 560 MPa yield in annealed plate.
What is the yield strength of S32950-CW?
S32950-CW has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S32950-CW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machines like 2205 but tougher: use rigid setups, positive-rake carbide, 60–100 m/min surface speed, heavy feeds to cut through the work-hardened layer, and copious coolant.
Can S32950-CW be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW with over-alloyed 2209/25.10.4L filler, no preheat, low-to-moderate heat input (≈0.5–2.0 kJ/mm), interpass below 150 °C, Ar+N₂ backing; avoid PWHT unless a full solution anneal and quench is possible.
What surface finishes work on S32950-CW?
Pickle in HNO₃/HF and passivate per ASTM A380/A967 to restore the chromium oxide film; can be mechanically ground or polished, not anodizable.
Can S32950-CW be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with roughly twice the force of 316L and allow for high springback; hot work 950–1150 °C followed by mandatory solution anneal and rapid quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of S32950-CW?
S32950-CW is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S32950 Annealed and S32950-CW?
Annealed is the default condition — standard supply condition for plate, bar, tube and fittings; best corrosion resistance and toughness. CW: springs, clamps and wire products where maximum strength outweighs ductility and toughness. Yield strength is 560 MPa in Annealed versus 830 MPa in CW.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A789/A790 — Duplex Stainless Steel Tubing and Pipe — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM A182 / A815 — Forged Fittings and Flanges — ASTM International (2022)
- 7-Mo PLUS (UNS S32950) Duplex Stainless Alloy Data — Carpenter Technology (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA (2014)
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.