ASTM A276 420 1.4021 Stainless Steel Type 420 Stainless Steel provides both outstanding corrosion resistance and exceptional wear resistance. To obtain the best possible strength and wear resistance, oil quenching alloy 420 at a temperature between 1800° F and 1950° F. Alloy 420 Stainless Steel is commonly used in dental and surgical instruments, cutlery, plastics molds, pump shafts, steel balls, and numerous hand tool.
Because of its air hardening properties, type 420 Stainless Steel is not often welded, although, it is possible. When welded with stainless steel type 420, preheat the steel to a temperature between 300° F and 400° F. After welding, temper the work piece at temperature for two hours. When hot working, it is recommended to gradually raise the temperature to 1400° F and then gradually raise the temperature to anywhere from 2000° F to 2200° F. While working, avoid letting the work temperature drop below 1600° F by frequently reheating the steel. To prevent cracking, furnace cool the work piece slowly after working. Any extreme cold forming will cause alloy 420 Stainless Steel to crack, but it can endure minor cold work.
These properties are specified for bar product in ASTM A276. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as stainless plate and forging in their respective specifications.
Grade |
– |
C |
Mn |
Si |
P |
S |
Cr |
Mo |
Ni |
N |
420 |
min. max. |
0.15 – |
– 1.00 |
– 1.00 |
– 0.040 |
– 0.030 |
12.0 14.0 |
– |
– |
– |
ASTM A176: Standard Specification for Stainless and Heat-Resisting Chromium Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip
ASTM A276: Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
ASTM A959: Standard Guide for Specifying Harmonized Standard Grade Compositions for Wrought Stainless Steel
Tempering Temperature (°C) |
Tensile Strength (MPa) |
Yield Strength0.2% Proof (MPa) |
Elongation (% in 50mm) |
Hardness Brinell (HB) |
Impact Charpy V (J) |
Annealed * |
655 |
345 |
25 |
241 max |
– |
204 |
1600 |
1360 |
12 |
444 |
20 |
316 |
1580 |
1365 |
14 |
444 |
19 |
427 |
1620 |
1420 |
10 |
461 |
# |
538 |
1305 |
1095 |
15 |
375 |
# |
593 |
1035 |
810 |
18 |
302 |
22 |
650 |
895 |
680 |
20 |
262 |
42 |
Typical physical properties for annealed grade 420 stainless steel are given in table 3.
Table 3. Physical properties of 420 grade stainless steel in the annealed condition
Grade |
Density (kg/m³) |
Elastic Modulus (GPa) |
Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion(mm/m/°C) |
Thermal Conductivity(W/m.K) |
Specific Heat 0-100°C(J/kg.K) |
Electrical Resistivity (nW.m) |
|||
0-100°C |
0-315°C |
0-538°C |
at 100°C |
at 500°C |
|||||
420 |
7750 |
200 |
10.3 |
10.8 |
11.7 |
24.9 |
– |
460 |
550 |
Approximate grade comparisons for 420 stainless steels are given in table 4.
Table 4. Grade specifications for 420 grade stainless steel
Grade |
UNS |
BS |
BS |
EN |
EN |
Swedish |
Japanese |
– |
No. |
|
EN |
|
Name |
SS |
JIS |
420 |
S42000 |
420S37 |
56C |
1.4021 |
X20Cr13 |
2303 |
SUS 420J1 |
Possible alternative grades to grade 420 stainless steels are given in table 5.
Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 420 grade stainless steel
Grade |
Why it might be chosen instead of 420 |
410 |
Only a lower hardened strength is needed. |
416 |
High machinability is required, and the lower hardened strength and lower corrosion resistance of 416 is acceptable. |
440C |
A higher hardened strength or hardness than can be obtained from 420 is needed. |
“specials” |
Variations of 420 are available to special order. These offer higher hardness, corrosion resistance and machinability for particular applications. |
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