420A / X20Cr13 vs 420C / X46Cr13: Same 420 family — different carbon levels
420A / X20Cr13 vs 420C / X46Cr13
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
420A / X20Cr13
1.4021
Medium-carbon martensitic stainless steel. Higher hardness than 410 but lower than 420C (1.4034). Good balance of strength, corrosion resistance and machinability. Used for turbine blades, pump shafts, valves, bolts, surgical instruments, and cutlery.
420C / X46Cr13
1.4034
High-carbon martensitic stainless steel. Higher hardness than 410 (up to 56 HRC). The standard knife steel for European cutlery. Used for kitchen knives, pocket knives, surgical scalpels, machine blades, roller bearings, and valve components. Not weldable.
| 420A / X20Cr13 | 420C / X46Cr13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.4021 | 1.4034 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | EN 10088-3 | EN 10088-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 420A / X20Cr13 | 420C / X46Cr13 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.16–0.25% | 0.43–0.5% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–1% | 0–1% | OK |
| Mn | 0–1.5% | 0–1% | OK |
| P | 0–0.04% | 0–0.04% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 420A / X20Cr13 | 420C / X46Cr13 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 700–850 | — | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 500 | — | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 13 | — | % |
Compatibility Assessment
420A (X20Cr13, 1.4021) has 0.16-0.25% C reaching ~46 HRC max. 420C (X46Cr13, 1.4034) has 0.43-0.50% C reaching ~56 HRC. Choose 420A for toughness/weldability, 420C for maximum hardness/edge retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 420A / X20Cr13 the same as 420C / X46Cr13?
420A / X20Cr13 and 420C / X46Cr13 have a 75% composition overlap. Same 420 family — different carbon levels
Can I replace 420A / X20Cr13 with 420C / X46Cr13?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (75%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between 420A / X20Cr13 and 420C / X46Cr13?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Cr. 420A / X20Cr13 is a Stainless Steel grade, while 420C / X46Cr13 is a Stainless Steel grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.