Stainless Steel S44401-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
UNS S44401
Pick for higher strength and better surface/straightness in fasteners and small tube; ductility and formability drop.
Values for the CD condition
Other S44401 tempers and conditions
S44401 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at S44401.
- Annealed
- CD
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault cold-rolled and annealed sheet/coil (2B finish) | Standard stocked condition for water-heater tanks, tube strip and pressed parts. | 340 | 500 | 30 | 165 HB | — |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Pick for higher strength and better surface/straightness in fasteners and small tube; ductility and formability drop. | 480 | 590 | 18 | 15 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
What is S44401-CD?
S44401-CD is S44401 supplied in the CD condition — pick for higher strength and better surface/straightness in fasteners and small tube; ductility and formability drop. S44401-CD has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S44401-CD has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% 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
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.8 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 480 MPa (69.6 ksi), better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
S44401-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for S44401-CD; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S44401 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S44401-CD has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
S44401-CD has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S44401-CD is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 78% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S44401-CD conducts electricity at 2.8 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 68% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S44401-CD takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
S44401-CD's machinability is fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S44401-CD
Is S44401 easy to machine?
Machines like a gummy low-carbon ferritic — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, generous coolant and moderate speeds with heavy feeds to break the chip.
Can S44401 be welded?
Ti/Nb stabilisation means no post-weld sensitisation, but use low heat input, argon backing and matching 444/316L or Ni-base filler to limit grain coarsening and weld-metal embrittlement.
Can S44401 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep drawability with high r-value and low earing; allow extra springback versus austenitics and avoid severe stretch forming.
What surface finishes work on S44401?
Pickle and passivate per ASTM A967 after welding; electropolishing or 2B/BA mill finishes give good corrosion performance — no anodising applies.
S44401 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 interstitial; C+N usually held ≤ 0.04 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0 |
| Cr | 17.5 – 19.5 | 18.5 |
| Ni | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Mo | 1.75 – 2.5 | 2 |
| N | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Ti+Nbdual stabilisation, min also expressed as 0.20 + 4(C+N) | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S44401-CD — frequently asked
What is S44401-CD used for?
S44401-CD is typically used for water heater tanks, heat exchangers and food equipment. In short: 444-type 18Cr-2Mo ferritic; low-interstitial, tougher weld HAZ; chloride-resistant tank sheet.
What is the yield strength of S44401-CD?
S44401-CD has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — stronger than 75% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is S44401-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a gummy low-carbon ferritic — use sharp positive-rake carbide, rigid setups, generous coolant and moderate speeds with heavy feeds to break the chip.
Can S44401-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Ti/Nb stabilisation means no post-weld sensitisation, but use low heat input, argon backing and matching 444/316L or Ni-base filler to limit grain coarsening and weld-metal embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on S44401-CD?
Pickle and passivate per ASTM A967 after welding; electropolishing or 2B/BA mill finishes give good corrosion performance — no anodising applies.
Can S44401-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep drawability with high r-value and low earing; allow extra springback versus austenitics and avoid severe stretch forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of S44401-CD?
S44401-CD is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S44401 Annealed and S44401-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for water-heater tanks, tube strip and pressed parts. CD: pick for higher strength and better surface/straightness in fasteners and small tube; ductility and formability drop. Yield strength is 340 MPa in Annealed versus 480 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A268/A268M — Seamless and Welded Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Ferritic stainless 1.4521 / 444 datasheet — Outokumpu (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.