Steel Alloy 49-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
UNS K94490 · ASTM A753 Type 1 · also Carpenter High Permeability 49, Hymu 49
Cold-drawn rod and wire for machined cores, pole pieces and relay armatures that will be annealed after machining.
Values for the CD condition
Other Alloy 49 tempers and conditions
Alloy 49 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Alloy 49.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard supply and final condition for magnetic parts: soft, ductile, maximum permeability and lowest coercivity. | 220 | 530 | 38 | 120 HB | — |
Half hard | Intermediate strip temper for stamped parts needing more stiffness/springback control before the final magnetic anneal. | 620 | 750 | 8 | 16 HRC | 3.5 % IACS |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Cold-drawn rod and wire for machined cores, pole pieces and relay armatures that will be annealed after machining. | 650 | 780 | 10 | 19 HRC | 3.5 % IACS |
Hardened | Maximum-strength as-rolled strip for springy or high-stiffness parts; magnetic properties are poor until a final anneal is performed. | 850 | 950 | 3 | 25 HRC | — |
What is Alloy 49-CD?
Alloy 49-CD is Alloy 49 supplied in the CD condition — cold-drawn rod and wire for machined cores, pole pieces and relay armatures that will be annealed after machining. Alloy 49-CD has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 152 GPa (22 Msi). Alloy 49-CD has a density of 8.25 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 32/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 13.5 W/m·K (7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 8.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low stiffness — 152 GPa (22 Msi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.5 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades
Alloy 49-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for Alloy 49-CD; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Alloy 49 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Alloy 49-CD has a density of 8.25 g/cm³ (0.298 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
Alloy 49-CD has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 152 GPa (22 Msi).
Thermal5
Alloy 49-CD is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 13.5 W/m·K (7.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 99% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 9.5 µm/m·K (5.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Alloy 49-CD conducts electricity at 3.5 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), better than 96% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Alloy 49-CD takes about 120 MJ of energy and emits 8.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 100% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Alloy 49-CD's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Alloy 49-CD
Is Alloy 49 easy to machine?
Gummy and work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed with heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; leave stock for the final hydrogen anneal since machining stress kills permeability.
Can Alloy 49 be welded?
Readily GTAW/resistance/laser welded with matching or Ni filler and low heat input; every welded assembly must be magnetically annealed afterwards.
Can Alloy 49 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and stamping behaviour in the annealed temper; design for a stress-free final anneal at 1050–1175 °C in dry hydrogen with controlled cooling.
What surface finishes work on Alloy 49?
Not anodizable; protect with electroless nickel, tin or zinc plating, or lacquer — plating should follow the magnetic anneal to avoid hydrogen and stress effects.
Alloy 49 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 |
|---|---|---|
| NiNi + Co counted together in ASTM A753 Type 1 | 47 – 50 | 48.5 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Ckept low for magnetic softness | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Alloy 49-CD — frequently asked
What is Alloy 49-CD used for?
Alloy 49-CD is typically used for magnetic shielding, instrument transformer cores, current transformers, relay components and sensitive magnetic sensors. In short: highest-permeability Fe-Ni alloy; low-field shielding grade; needs final hydrogen anneal.
What is the yield strength of Alloy 49-CD?
Alloy 49-CD has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Alloy 49-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Gummy and work-hardening — use sharp positive-rake carbide, low speed with heavy feed, rigid setup and flood coolant; leave stock for the final hydrogen anneal since machining stress kills permeability.
Can Alloy 49-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Readily GTAW/resistance/laser welded with matching or Ni filler and low heat input; every welded assembly must be magnetically annealed afterwards.
What surface finishes work on Alloy 49-CD?
Not anodizable; protect with electroless nickel, tin or zinc plating, or lacquer — plating should follow the magnetic anneal to avoid hydrogen and stress effects.
Can Alloy 49-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-drawing and stamping behaviour in the annealed temper; design for a stress-free final anneal at 1050–1175 °C in dry hydrogen with controlled cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of Alloy 49-CD?
Alloy 49-CD 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 Alloy 49-ANN and Alloy 49-H?
ANN is the default condition — standard supply and final condition for magnetic parts: soft, ductile, maximum permeability and lowest coercivity. H: maximum-strength as-rolled strip for springy or high-stiffness parts; magnetic properties are poor until a final anneal is performed. Yield strength is 220 MPa in ANN versus 850 MPa in H.
Sources
- ASTM A753 — Standard Specification for Wrought Nickel-Iron Soft Magnetic Alloys — ASTM International (2019)
- GB/T 15005 (1J50 ) (2017)
- High Permeability 49 Alloy technical datasheet — Carpenter Technology (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (soft magnetic alloys) — ASM International (1990)
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.