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Steel FDC CD-SR

Heat-treated state

CD-SR = cold drawn + stress relieved

Post-coiling low-temperature bake: raises elastic limit, relieves coiling stresses and hydrogen, standard for finished springs.

Budget cost $

Values for the CD-SR condition

Other FDC tempers and conditions

FDC is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at FDC.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
For heavy cold forming, heading or parts that will be hardened and tempered after shaping.39064022190 HB—
Class I
Use when formability and cost matter more than stress level (larger diameters, gentle bends).1,2501,480544 HRC9 % IACS
CDDefault
Cold drawn
Standard stocked condition: patented and hard-drawn wire coiled directly into springs.1,3601,600446 HRC—
CD-SRThis page
Cold drawn + stress relieved
Post-coiling low-temperature bake: raises elastic limit, relieves coiling stresses and hydrogen, standard for finished springs.1,4501,6203.547 HRC9 % IACS
Class II
Choose for higher design stress and better set resistance in the same wire size.1,4901,750349 HRC9 % IACS

What is FDC CD-SR?

FDC CD-SR is FDC heat treated to CD-SR — post-coiling low-temperature bake: raises elastic limit, relieves coiling stresses and hydrogen, standard for finished springs. FDC CD-SR has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). FDC CD-SR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD-SR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 130°C (266 °F), worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 3.5%, worse than 98% of steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

FDC CD-SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for FDC CD-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are FDC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

FDC CD-SR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical12

FDC CD-SR has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 3.5% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus207 GPa30 Msi
Shear Modulus79.3 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,620 MPa235 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,450 MPa210 ksi
Elongation at Break3.5%
Reduction in Area37%
Shear Strength1,070 MPa155 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)680 MPa98.6 ksi
Hardness, Rockwell C47 HRC
Hardness, Vickers480 HV

Thermal6

FDC CD-SR is rated for continuous service to 130°C (266 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)130°C266 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

FDC CD-SR conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts in humid air and water; requires oil, phosphate, zinc plating or galvanizing. Attacked by acids; susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement after acid pickling or electroplating unless baked.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of FDC CD-SR takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

FDC CD-SR's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityPoor22/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)30%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityGood55/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with FDC CD-SR

Is FDC easy to machine?

Rarely machined in the hard-drawn state; grind or use carbide for wire-end operations, or machine after annealing.

Can FDC be welded?

Poor weldability — 0.45–0.85 % C gives brittle martensite in the HAZ and destroys the drawn strength; use mechanical joining or resistance-weld with preheat/post-bake only for non-stressed tabs.

Can FDC be formed, bent or molded?

Coils and bends readily on CNC spring formers; allow for large springback, avoid bend radii below about 2× wire diameter, then bake 230–260 °C for 20–30 min to relieve stresses.

What surface finishes work on FDC?

Supplied oiled or phosphated; zinc/zinc-nickel plating, mechanical galvanizing or powder coating are common — bake within 4 h after electroplating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement; shot peening markedly improves fatigue life.

FDC 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Ccarbon level selected by wire size / tensile class0.45 – 0.850.65
Mn0.3 – 1.30.7
Si0.1 – 0.30.2
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.050.02
Febalance—

FDC CD-SR — frequently asked

What is FDC CD-SR used for?

FDC CD-SR is typically used for light mechanical springs, clips and retaining rings and small compression/extension springs. In short: lowest-cost spring wire; hard-drawn, not oil-tempered; 120 °C service ceiling.

What is the yield strength of FDC CD-SR?

FDC CD-SR has a typical yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,620 MPa (235 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is FDC CD-SR easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades). Rarely machined in the hard-drawn state; grind or use carbide for wire-end operations, or machine after annealing.

Can FDC CD-SR be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability — 0.45–0.85 % C gives brittle martensite in the HAZ and destroys the drawn strength; use mechanical joining or resistance-weld with preheat/post-bake only for non-stressed tabs.

What surface finishes work on FDC CD-SR?

Supplied oiled or phosphated; zinc/zinc-nickel plating, mechanical galvanizing or powder coating are common — bake within 4 h after electroplating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement; shot peening markedly improves fatigue life.

Can FDC CD-SR be formed, bent or molded?

Coils and bends readily on CNC spring formers; allow for large springback, avoid bend radii below about 2× wire diameter, then bake 230–260 °C for 20–30 min to relieve stresses.

What is the maximum service temperature of FDC CD-SR?

FDC CD-SR is rated for continuous use to about 130°C (266 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between FDC-CD and FDC-ANN?

CD is the default condition — standard stocked condition: patented and hard-drawn wire coiled directly into springs. ANN: for heavy cold forming, heading or parts that will be hardened and tempered after shaping. Yield strength is 1,360 MPa in CD versus 390 MPa in ANN.

Sources

  1. ASTM A227/A227M — Steel Wire, Cold-Drawn for Mechanical Springs — ASTM International (2023)
  2. JIS G 3521 — Hard drawn steel wire — JSA (2020)
  3. EN 10270-1 — Steel wire for mechanical springs, patented cold drawn unalloyed — CEN (2017)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. SAE HS-795 Spring Design Manual — SAE International (1996)

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.