AISI 420C | 1.4034 | BS 420S45 | X46Cr13 | Martensitic stainless steel
Material information according to DIN EN 10088-3
Stainless steel AISI 420C, also known as 1.4034, BS 420S45 or DIN X46Cr13, is a ferromagnetic martensitic steel. The material is characterised by good wear resistance and polishability (high-gloss polishing is possible). Stainless steel AISI 420C has a density of 7.7 kg/dm³ (at 20 °C), a hardness of ≤ 245 HB and a tensile strength of 800 to 1000 N/mm². The material is easy to forge but difficult to machine. It should not be used for welding.
Martensitic stainless steel 1.4034 has good corrosion resistance (PREN value 12.5 to 14.5), which is, however, negatively affected in the soft-annealed or highly tempered state. It is not resistant to seawater and some acids, nor to intercrystalline corrosion. The material is suitable for hot forming and machining. It is rarely used for cold forming and machining, and is not normally used for cold heading. AISI 420C stainless steel is regularly used in industry for the production of cutting tools such as knives. In medical technology, the material is used, for example, for the production of scalpels and surgical instruments.
Specifications of the material
EN material number: 1.4034
EN short name: X46Cr13
EN standard: 10088-3
Microstructure class: martensite
Comparable standards and designations
AFNOR Z44C14 / Z38C13M
AISI 420C
ASTM 420
BS 420S45
JIS SUS420
UNE F.3405
UNS S42000
PN 4H13
Properties and chemical composition of stainless steel AISI 420C / 1.4034
C | Si | Mn | P | S | N | Cr | Cu | Mo | Ni | Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0,43 - 0,50 | ≤ 1,00 | ≤ 1,00 | ≤ 0,04 | ≤ 0,03 | - | 12,5 - 14,5 | - | - | - | - |
Mass fraction in % according to DIN EN 10088-3
Abbreviations: C = carbon, Cr = chromium, Cu = copper, Mn = manganese, Mo = molybdenum, N = nitrogen, Ni = nickel, P = phosphorus, S = sulphur, Si = silicon, Ti = thallium.
Physical properties
Magnetisability: present
Density (kg/dm³): 7.7
Thermal conductivity (at up to 20°C): 30
Electronic resistance at room temperature (in Ω mm²/m): 0.55
Mechanical properties
Ø in mm | WBZ | HHB | Rp0,2 in MPa | Rm in MPa | A5 in % | AV in J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GS | +A | ≤ 245 | - | ≤ 800 | - | - |
≤ 160 | +QT800 (*) | - | ≥ 650 | 800 - 1000 | ≥ 10 (α) | ≥ 12 (α) |
Abbreviations: HHB = hardness HB, WBZ = heat treatment condition, * = minimum strength, α = longitudinal
Stainless steel AISI 420C / 1.4034 has very poor welding properties. Therefore, it is not recommended to weld this material. If welding is unavoidable, it should be carried out with extreme caution. In this case, preheating to 350°C - 400°C and heat treatment at approx. 650°C is required.
Forging
The material AISI 420C / BS 420S45 is easily forgeable. The material must first be slowly heated to a temperature of over 800°C. This is followed by rapid heating to 1050°C to 1150°C. Forging can take place in the temperature range between 1100°C and 800°C. Subsequently, slow cooling in dry ash or in the furnace is required.
Heat treatment and hot forming
Hot forming (slow cooling in the furnace): 1100-800 °C
Soft annealing (+A) (slow cooling in the furnace or in air): 750-850 °C
Tempering (+ QT 850) - hardening (rapid cooling in air or in oil): 950-1050 °C
Tempering (+ QT 850) - annealing (rapid cooling in air): 650-700 °C
Stress-relieving annealing: 200 °C
Machinability
The stainless steel AISI 420C / BS 420S45 has a rather poor machinability, which corresponds to that of comparable structural steels. It varies depending on the hardness and strength of the material.
Corrosion resistance
Stainless steel AISI 420C / BS 420S45 has good corrosion resistance (PREN value 12.5 to 14.5), which is provided against both chloride-free and aggressive media (e.g. nitric acid) and against water and steam. The corrosion resistance can be increased by polishing in the quenched and tempered state.
Please note that chromium carbides form in the soft-annealed and highly tempered state, which has a negative effect on corrosion resistance. The material is not resistant to intergranular corrosion and in combination with salt (MaCl) and salt water (seawater) there is a risk of pitting corrosion. It is not resistant to sulphuric acid. This material is only slightly resistant to formic acid.
Applications of stainless steel AISI 420C / 1.4034
Martensitic chromium steel AISI 420C / 1.4034 is used in a range of industries due to its good corrosion resistance, wear resistance and polishability. These include mechanical engineering and the automotive industry, where this material is used to manufacture components that require high strength and wear resistance. In the cutlery industry, this stainless steel is used to make knives and blades due to its hardness and wear resistance. The food industry uses it, for example, to make machine knives, and medical technology uses it to make scalpels and other surgical instruments.
Other industries that regularly use stainless steel AISI 420C include the pharmaceutical industry, the roller bearing industry and the energy technology sector.
The data provided in this data sheet or material information sheet has been compiled to the best of our knowledge and is based on the current version of the relevant standard. We do not accept any liability for any errors.
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