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Resources/Materials & grades/420 / 1.4021

Materials & grades

420 / 1.4021 / SUS420J1 martensitic stainless steel: equivalents 420S37 and X20Cr13

420 is a higher-carbon version of 410, a 12–14 % chromium martensitic stainless steel that hardens to about 50 HRC and is magnetic. Its usual equivalents are 1.4021 (X20Cr13) in Europe, 420S37 in the UK, X20Cr13 in India and SUS420J1 or J2 in Japan.

Names by standard

What it is called in each region

RegionSystemDesignationStandardMatch
USAAISI/ASTM420ASTM A276 (bar)Same material
UNSS42000—Same material
UKBS 970-3 (1991)420S37Lead UK name for 1.4021: Roymech and West Yorkshire Steel pair 420S37 with EN56C and 1.4021. Atlas and Deutsche Edelstahlwerke also list it against 420. Stainless grades are no longer in BS 970; new orders use EN 10088-3.BS 970-3Closest equivalent
BS 970-3 (1991)420S29Deutsche Edelstahlwerke and Outokumpu list it against 1.4021, but Roymech and West Yorkshire Steel pair 420S29 with EN56B and 1.4024 (X15Cr13) instead, so sources disagree. West Yorkshire Steel also lists SUS410J1.BS 970-3Closest equivalent
BS 970 (1955 EN series)EN56CSuperseded name for 420S37 and 1.4021 (Roymech, West Yorkshire Steel). The same sources give EN56B for 420S29. Trade tables vary.—Closest equivalent
EUEN 10027-1 nameX20Cr13Carbon 0.16–0.25 %. ASTM 420 specifies only a carbon minimum, so it also covers X30Cr13 and X39Cr13.EN 10088-1; EN 10088-3Closest equivalent
EN 10027-2 number1.4021Material number of X20Cr13.EN 10088-1; EN 10088-3Closest equivalent
EN 10027-1 nameX30Cr13 (1.4028)Higher-carbon variant (0.26–0.35 % C), used for cutlery and cut-to-hardness parts. Outokumpu lists 1.4028 against SUS420J2.EN 10088-1Closest equivalent
DIN 17440 (legacy)X20Cr13Superseded German standard. The name carried over unchanged into EN 10088.DIN 17440Closest equivalent
IndiaIS 1570 (Part 5)X20Cr13Carbon 0.16–0.25 %. X30Cr13 (0.26–0.35 %) and X40Cr13 (0.35–0.45 %) are the higher-carbon Indian grades.IS 1570 (Part 5):1985Closest equivalent
JapanJIS G 4303SUS420J1Carbon 0.16–0.25 %. This is the usual JIS match for 1.4021.JIS G 4303Closest equivalent
JIS G 4303SUS420J2Carbon 0.26–0.40 %. Harder after quenching than 420J1, used for blades, valve seats and nozzles.JIS G 4303Closest equivalent

On equivalence

  • 420 is defined by a carbon minimum only (0.15 %), so it spans X20Cr13 (1.4021), X30Cr13 (1.4028) and higher. Match by carbon and required hardness, not by name alone.
  • 1.4021 and SUS420J1 fit the lower part of the 420 range (0.16–0.25 % C). 1.4028 and SUS420J2 fit the upper part. Atlas lists 420 against SUS420J1, Outokumpu lists 1.4021 against SUS420J1 and 1.4028 against SUS420J2.
  • British trade tables disagree on 420S29. Roymech and West Yorkshire Steel pair 420S37 = EN56C = 1.4021 and 420S29 = EN56B = 1.4024, so 420S37 is the lead name here. Atlas lists 420S37, Deutsche Edelstahlwerke lists 420S29 and 420S37, and Outokumpu lists 420S29 against 1.4021. Aalco and Aircraft Materials give the superseded numbers EN56B (420S29), EN56C (420S37) and EN56D (420S45, X30Cr13).
  • 410 has less carbon and lower hardened strength. 440C has far more carbon and reaches higher hardness (Atlas alternatives).
  • The Indian standard has no single 420 name. It lists X20Cr13, X30Cr13 and X40Cr13 by carbon range.

Chemical composition

Composition limits, mass %

Element420USA · ASTM A276X20Cr13 (1.4021)EU · EN 10088-1 / EN 10088-3X30Cr13 (1.4028)EU · EN 10088-1X20Cr13India · IS 1570 (Part 5):1985SUS420J1Japan · JIS G 4303SUS420J2Japan · JIS G 4303
C≥0.150.16–0.250.26–0.350.16–0.250.16–0.250.26–0.40
Si≤1.00≤1.00≤1.00≤1.0≤1.00≤1.00
Mn≤1.00≤1.50≤1.50≤1.0≤1.00≤1.00
P≤0.040≤0.040≤0.040≤0.040≤0.040≤0.040
S≤0.030≤0.015 (≤0.030 for bars)≤0.015 (≤0.030 for bars)≤0.030≤0.030≤0.030
Cr12.0–14.012.0–14.012.0–14.012.0–14.012.00–14.0012.00–14.00
Ni———≤1.0≤0.60 (may be added)≤0.60 (may be added)

Mechanical properties

Strength and hardness

ConditionTensile strengthYield strengthElongationHardness
Annealed (Condition A)Typical tensile values; hardness is the specified maximum for cold finished bar (ASTM A276)Atlas Steels 420 data sheet655 MPa95 ksi345 MPa50 ksi25 %≤255 HB
Hardened and tempered at 204 °CTypical values, not minimumsAtlas Steels 420 data sheet1600 MPa232 ksi1360 MPa197 ksi12 %444 HB
Hardened and tempered at 593 °CTypical values, not minimumsAtlas Steels 420 data sheet1035 MPa150 ksi810 MPa117 ksi18 %302 HB
Hardened and tempered at 650 °CTypical values, not minimumsAtlas Steels 420 data sheet895 MPa130 ksi680 MPa99 ksi20 %262 HB
Soft annealed (+A), EN 10088-3Specified maximums, barEN 10088-3 as given by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke≤760 MPa≤110 ksi——≤230 HB
Quenched and tempered +QT700 (1.4021)Specified, bar up to 160 mmEN 10088-3 as given by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke700–850 MPa102–123 ksi≥500 MPa≥73 ksi≥13 %Impact ≥25 J (ISO-V)
Quenched and tempered +QT800 (1.4021)Specified, bar up to 160 mmEN 10088-3 as given by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke800–950 MPa116–138 ksi≥600 MPa≥87 ksi≥12 %Impact ≥20 J (ISO-V)
Hardened and tempered (X20Cr13)Specified, sheet, plate, strip, bar and flatIS 1570 (Part 5):1985, Table 4690–880 MPa100–128 ksi≥490 MPa≥71 ksi≥14 %—
Hardened and tempered (SUS420J1)Specified minimums, bar; reduction of area ≥50 %JIS G 4303 as given by Nose Stainless≥640 MPa≥93 ksi≥440 MPa≥64 ksi≥20 %≥192 HBW (annealed ≤223 HBW)
Hardened and tempered (SUS420J2)Specified minimums, bar; reduction of area ≥40 %JIS G 4303 as given by Nose Stainless≥740 MPa≥107 ksi≥540 MPa≥78 ksi≥12 %≥217 HBW (annealed ≤235 HBW)

In practice

Behaviour, heat treatment and uses

Characteristics

  • Higher carbon than 410, so it hardens further: up to about 50 HRC, the highest of the 12 % chromium grades (Atlas).
  • Good ductility annealed. Corrosion resistance is best when hardened and ground or polished, and lower when annealed. It sits slightly below 410 and below 430 (Atlas).
  • Resists the atmosphere, food, fresh water and mild alkalis or acids. Prolonged contact with unwashed food residue can pit cutlery blades (Atlas).
  • Ferromagnetic. Magnetic in every heat-treated condition.
  • Atlas rates weldability as poor, while Deutsche Edelstahlwerke rates 1.4021 as good. Both call for preheat and post-weld heat treatment. Atlas gives preheat of about 150–320 °C, post-heat at 610–760 °C and a final harden and temper.
  • Relatively easy to machine annealed. Machining becomes harder above about 30 HRC.
  • Not resistant to intergranular corrosion as delivered or as welded (DEW). DEW rates it for use to about 550 °C, and scaling starts near 650 °C (Atlas).

Heat treatment

  • Full annealing: about 840–900 °C, slow furnace cool to 600 °C, then air (Atlas). Process annealing: about 735–785 °C, air cool.
  • Hardening: about 980–1035 °C, quench in oil or air; oil for heavy sections (Atlas). DEW gives 950–1050 °C.
  • Tempering for strength: about 150–370 °C for the highest hardness (Atlas). The EN conditions are QT700 (650–750 °C) and QT800 (600–700 °C) (DEW).
  • Avoid tempering between about 400 and 600 °C, where toughness and corrosion resistance fall.
  • Hot forming: heat slowly to about 850 °C, then to 1150–1180 °C. Forge between about 1100 and 900 °C and cool slowly (DEW).

Impieghi tipici

  • Cutlery and table-knife blades
  • Surgical and dental instruments
  • Needle valves and valve parts
  • Shear blades and hydraulic parts
  • Hydraulic equipment and food and beverage plant parts

Stainless steels

Similar grades compared

ClasseC %Mn %Cr %Ni %Tensile, first listed condition
420 / 1.4021≥0.15≤1.0012.0–14.0≤1.0655 MPa
410 / 1.40060.08–0.15≤1.0011.5–13.5≤0.75≥480 MPa
431 / 1.4057≤0.20≤1.0015.0–17.01.25–2.50862 MPa
201 / 1.4372≤0.155.50–7.5016.0–18.03.5–5.5≥515 MPa
301 / 1.4310≤0.15≤2.0016.0–18.06.0–8.0≥515 MPa
303 / 1.4305≤0.15≤2.017.0–19.08.0–10.0650 MPa
304 / 1.4301≤0.08≤2.0018.0–20.08.0–10.5≥515 MPa
304L / 1.4307≤0.030≤2.0018.0–20.08.0–12.0≥485 MPa
309 / 309S≤0.08≤2.0022.0–24.012.0–15.0≥515 MPa
310 / 310S≤0.08≤2.0024.0–26.019.0–22.0≥515 MPa

Composition from the US standard where one exists, otherwise the first standard listed on each grade's page. Strength conditions differ between grades; open a grade for its full table.

Domande e risposte

Common questions

What is the difference between 410 and 420 stainless steel?

Carbon. 410 has 0.08–0.15 % carbon and 420 starts at 0.15 % (X20Cr13 is 0.16–0.25 %). 420 therefore hardens to about 50 HRC and 410 to a lower hardness. Corrosion resistance of 420 is slightly lower.

What is the equivalent of 420 stainless steel?

1.4021 (X20Cr13) in Europe, 420S37 in the old British standard, X20Cr13 in India and SUS420J1 in Japan. Some sources also list 420S29 against 1.4021, while others pair it with 1.4024. SUS420J2 and 1.4028 (X30Cr13) match the higher-carbon end.

Is 420 stainless steel magnetic?

Yes. 420 is ferromagnetic in the annealed and the hardened conditions, like 410, 430, 431 and 17-4PH.

How hard can 420 stainless steel get?

Up to about 50 HRC after hardening and low-temperature tempering (Atlas). Tempering at 204 °C gives about 444 HB and 1600 MPa typical tensile strength. Tempering at 425–600 °C should be avoided.

Is 420 stainless steel corrosion resistant?

Moderately. It resists the atmosphere, fresh water, food and mild chemicals when hardened and polished. It is below 304 and 316, below 430, and slightly below 410.

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410 / 1.4006410 is the basic 12 % chromium martensitic stainless steel, hardenable by quenching and tempering and magnetic in every condition.431 / 1.4057431 is a nickel-bearing 16 % chromium martensitic stainless steel with the best corrosion resistance and toughness of the hardenable 400 series.430 / 1.4016430 is a 17 % chromium ferritic stainless steel that is magnetic, cannot be hardened by heat treatment and resists corrosion in mild environments.17-4PH / 63017-4PH is a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel with 17 % chromium, 4 % nickel and 4 % copper that ages to over 1300 MPa tensile strength.304 / 1.4301Type 304 is the standard 18/8 austenitic stainless steel, with about 18% chromium and 8% nickel, and the most widely used stainless grade.Quenching and temperingQuenching and tempering hardens steel by cooling it rapidly from the austenite range to form martensite, then reheats it below Ac1 to trade some hardness for toughness.AnnealingAnnealing heats steel to a set temperature, holds it and cools it slowly to make it softer, more ductile and easier to machine or cold form.EN 10027 names and numbersEuropean steels carry two identifiers under EN 10027: a steel name (Part 1) such as S235JR, C45 or 42CrMo4 that describes the steel's use or chemistry, and a material number (Part 2) such as 1.0503 or 1.7225.JIS steel designationsJapanese JIS steel symbols start with S for steel and add letters for the steel family or its use, but the number means different things in different standards.IS 1570 and Indian designationsIndian steel names follow the letter-symbol code in IS 1762 (Part 1), which the IS 1570 schedules use: 45C8 means about 0.45% carbon, C for carbon steel and about 0.8% manganese, while alloy names such as 40Cr4Mo3 list each element with a multiplied content figure.

References

Sources

  1. Atlas Steels, Stainless Steel 420 Grade Data Sheet (revised 28/04/2021) — ASTM A276 composition and Condition A, tempering table, heat treatment, welding, corrosion.
  2. Deutsche Edelstahlwerke (Swiss Steel Group), 1.4021 X20Cr13 data sheet — EN 10088-3 QT700 and QT800, heat treatment, forging, welding, magnetism.
  3. Euro Inox, Stainless Steel: Tables of Technical Properties (2nd edition, 2007) — EN 10088 composition limits and EN 10088-2 flat-product mechanical properties.
  4. Outokumpu: Steel Grades, Properties and Global Standards — EN, ASTM, UNS, JIS and BS cross-reference; EN and ASTM minimum properties for flat products.
  5. Nose Stainless: steel types, composition and mechanical properties (JIS G 4303 reference sheet) — JIS G 4303 composition, heat treatment and mechanical properties for bar. Catalog reproducing the JIS values.
  6. Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 1570 (Part 5):1985 Schedules for wrought steels, stainless and heat-resisting steels (Public.Resource.Org copy) — Table 1 composition, Tables 2 to 4 mechanical properties and Table 7 heat treatment.
  7. Atlas Steels Technical Handbook of Stainless Steels (revised 12/08/2021) — Grade comparison (BS, EN, JIS), magnetic response and family characteristics. Distributor handbook quoting ASTM values.
  8. Aalco: stainless steel EN standards for bar — BS 970 designations with the superseded 1955 EN numbers (56A, 56B, 56D, 57, 60). Stockist table.
  9. Aircraft Materials: cross-reference of stainless steel specifications — BS and EN numbers (EN56C, EN57, EN60, BS 318S13) against AISI grades. Trade reference.
  10. West Yorkshire Steel: international stainless steel cross-reference — BS 970, W.Nr, DIN, JIS and AFNOR cross-reference. Stockist table.
  11. Roymech: BS 970 stainless steel designations table — 420S37 = EN56C = 1.4021 and 420S29 = EN56B = 1.4024 pairings.

Values summarize published limits and typical data. The governing standard and the current edition control; check them before specifying.