Stainless Steel 420 Explained
Stainless Steel 420 is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel renowned for its exceptional hardness, excellent wear resistance, and ability to achieve a superior polished finish after heat treatment. It offers moderate corrosion resistance along with outstanding cutting-edge retention. Grade 420 is widely used in surgical instruments, cutlery, blades, molds, and precision tools. Its high strength, excellent toughness, and mirror-finish capability make Stainless Steel 420 the preferred choice for medical, industrial, and consumer cutting applications.
420 STAINLESS STEEL SHEETS AND PLATES EQUIVALENT GRADES
| STANDARD | UNS | WERKSTOFF NR. |
|---|---|---|
| SS 420 | S42000 | 1.4021 |
SPECIFICATION OF STAINLESS STEEL 420 SHEETS AND PLATES
| Standard | ASTM A240 / ASME SA240 |
|---|---|
| Dimension Standard | JIS, AISI, ASTM, GB, DIN, EN, etc |
| Width | 1000mm, 1219mm, 1500mm, 1800mm, 2000mm, 2500mm, 3000mm, 3500mm, etc |
| Length | 2000mm, 2440mm, 3000mm, 5800mm, 6000mm, etc |
| Thickness | 0.3 mm to 120 mm |
| Form | Coils, Foils, Rolls, Plain Sheet, Shim Sheet, Perforated Sheet, Chequered Plate, Strip, Flats, Blank (Circle), Ring (Flange) etc. |
| Surface Finishing | Hot rolled plate (HR), Cold rolled sheet (CR), 2B, 2D, BA, NO.1, NO.4, NO.8, 8K, mirror, Chequered, embossed, hair line, sand blast, Brush, etching, SATIN (Met with Plastic Coated) etc. |
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF STAINLESS STEEL 420 SHEETS AND PLATES
| Grade | C% | Mn% | Si% | P% | S% | Cr% | Ni% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 420 | 0.15 max | 1.00 max | 1.00 max | 0.04 max | 0.03 max | 12.0-14.0 | – |
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF STAINLESS STEEL 420 SHEETS AND PLATES
| Tempering Temperature | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed * | 655 | 345 | 25 | 241 max |
| 399°F (204°C) | 1600 | 1360 | 12 | 444 |
| 600°F (316°C) | 1580 | 1365 | 14 | 444 |
| 800°F (427°C) | 1620 | 1420 | 10 | 461 |
| 1000°F (538°C) | 1305 | 1095 | 15 | 375 |
| 1099°F (593°C) | 1035 | 810 | 18 | 302 |
| 1202°F (650°C) | 895 | 680 | 20 | 262 |
* Annealed tensile properties are typical for Condition A of ASTM A276; annealed hardness is the specified maximum.
💡 Practical Difference in Use
Use Stainless Steel 420 when: high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good corrosion resistance are required, along with the ability to be heat-treated for cutting tools and precision instruments. → Example: knives, surgical instruments, cutting tools, valves, and precision components.
Applications of Stainless Steel 420 Sheets and Plates
Stainless Steel 420 is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel that provides superior hardness, wear resistance, and moderate corrosion resistance after heat treatment.
- Cutlery & Tools: Knives, scissors, cutting instruments, and blades.
- Medical & Surgical Instruments: Scalpels, forceps, and other precision surgical tools.
- Industrial Components: Valves, shafts, and precision parts requiring wear resistance.
When to Choose Stainless Steel 420?
Stainless Steel 420 is chosen when high hardness, wear resistance, and moderate corrosion resistance are required, with the ability to undergo heat treatment for maximum performance.
Choose SS 420 when:
- High hardness and wear resistance are critical
- Moderate corrosion resistance is sufficient
- Heat-treatable stainless steel is required
- Used in cutlery, surgical instruments, and precision tools
- Martensitic stainless steel with good machinability is preferred
Industries That Use Stainless Steel 420 Sheets and Plates
Stainless Steel 420 is widely used in industries where high hardness, wear resistance, and precision are essential.
Primary application due to high hardness and wear resistance.
Uses
Knives, scissors, blades, and cutting instruments.
Why SS 420?
Superior hardness and wear resistance with moderate corrosion resistance.
Used for precision surgical and medical tools.
Uses
Scalpels, forceps, and surgical instruments.
Why SS 420?
High hardness, precision, and moderate corrosion resistance for medical applications.
Used for wear-resistant machinery and precision parts.
Uses
Valves, shafts, gears, and precision components.
Why SS 420?
Excellent hardness and wear resistance under moderate corrosion conditions.
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