X50CrMoV15
1.4116Premium martensitic stainless steel with 0.50% C, 15% Cr, Mo and V additions. The signature blade steel of German knife manufacturers (Wüsthof, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, Victorinox Swiss Army). Mo and V improve corrosion resistance, hardenability, and toughness beyond basic Cr13 grades. Achieves 55-57 HRC. Excellent rust resistance, easy sharpening, and good edge retention. Also known as Krupp 4116. Equivalent to 5Cr15MoV (Chinese).
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: X50CrMoV15 (EN) (EN 10088-2) vs ASTM
| Element | X50CrMoV15 (EN) | ASTM | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.45–0.55% | — | — |
| Si | ≤ 1% | — | — |
| Mn | ≤ 1% | — | — |
| P | ≤ 0.04% | — | — |
| S | ≤ 0.015% | — | — |
| Cr | 14–15% | — | — |
| Mo | 0.5–0.8% | — | — |
| V | 0.1–0.2% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
QT
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 900 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 700 | MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 8 | % |
| Hardness HRC | 55–57 | HRC |
| Density | ≥ 7.7 | g/cm3 |
Heat treatment
| Process | Temperature | Medium | Holding Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hardening | 1040–1080 °C | oil | — | Oil or air quench; cryogenic treatment optional |
| tempering | 150–300 °C | air | — | Typically 2× temper for knife blades |
| annealing | 760–810 °C | furnace | — | Soft annealing, slow cool |
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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