420C / X46Cr13
1.4034High-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.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 | AISI | USA | AISI 420C / 420HC | S42000 | REF |
| 🇪🇺 | EN | Europe | X46Cr13 | 1.4034 | 100% |
| 🇯🇵 | JIS | Japan | SUS420J2 | — | 93% |
| 🇪🇺 | DIN | Europe | X40Cr14 (old tool variant) | 1.2083 | 85% |
Sources: ASTM A276, EN 10088-3, JIS G4303, DIN 17440
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: 420C / X46Cr13 (EN) (EN 10088-3) vs SUS420J2 (JIS)
| Element | 420C / X46Cr13 (EN) | SUS420J2 (JIS) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.43–0.5% | — | — |
| Si | 0–1% | — | — |
| Mn | 0–1% | — | — |
| P | 0–0.04% | — | — |
| S | 0–0.03% | — | — |
| Cr | 12.5–14.5% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
QT
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness HRC | 50–56 | HRC |
| Elastic Modulus | ≥ 215 | GPa |
| Density | ≥ 7.7 | g/cm3 |
Annealed
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness HB | ≤ 248 | HB |
Heat treatment
| Process | Temperature | Medium | Holding Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| quenching | 1000–1050 °C | oil | 20-30 min | Preheat slowly above 800°C first |
| tempering | 150–400 °C | air | 2x 60 min | Low temp (150-200°C) for max hardness. Above 400°C: significant hardness drop. |
| annealing | 750–850 °C | furnace | 1-2 hours | Slow furnace cool |
Compatibility verdict
420C / X46Cr13 and SUS420J2: 93% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
Related materials
304 Stainless Steel
1.4301The most widely used austenitic stainless steel. Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability. Standard choice for food processing, chemical, and architectural applications.
316L
1.4404Low-carbon austenitic stainless steel with molybdenum addition. Superior corrosion resistance to 304, especially against chlorides and pitting. Standard choice for chemical processing, marine, medical implants, and pharmaceutical equipment.
430 Stainless Steel
1.4016Ferritic chromium stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and formability. Lower cost than austenitic grades. Used for automotive trim, kitchen sinks, architectural panels, and appliance components.
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