420 Stainless Steel Supplier | AISI 420 | UNS S42000
What is 420 Stainless Steel?
420 Stainless Steel is a martensitic stainless steel grade with excellent hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance. It contains 12–14% chromium and can be hardened through heat treatment, making it ideal for cutting tools, surgical instruments, molds, and industrial applications.
You choose 420 Stainless Steel when you need wear resistance, durability, and polishability. Its ability to achieve high hardness sets it apart from other stainless steels in the 400 series.
Properties of 420 Stainless Steel
- Composition: Contains at least 12% chromium, enough to offer some corrosion protection, but the real star here is carbon—which makes 420 capable of achieving remarkable hardness.
- Hardness & Strength: In its hardened state, 420 achieves among the highest hardness ratings for 12% chromium steels (think Rockwell C50 or greater), making it a go-to for applications requiring sharp edges or wear resistance.
- Ductility: While 420 can be fairly ductile when fully annealed, its crowning feature is its ability to harden—making it less suitable for processes like welding compared to other grades.
- Corrosion Resistance: Expect lower corrosion resistance than austenitic grades (like 304), but still suitable for environments where some moisture or mild chemicals are present—especially if the surface is ground or polished after hardening.
- Temperature Limitations: Its operating range is best when temperatures are moderate. The alloy can lose toughness at very low temperatures and lose strength if exposed to high heat for extended periods.
In summary, 420 stainless steel is valued for its combination of hardness, moderate corrosion resistance, and edge retention—making it popular for cutlery, surgical instruments, and applications where durability is key.
Key Features of 420 Stainless Steel
420 stainless steel offers the best combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability.
- After heat treatment, hardness and wear resistance are high.
- Corrosion resistance in fresh water, mild acids, and alkalis is good.
- Polishability is excellent, and it is suitable for use in cutlery and surgical instruments.
- Machinability and weldability are fair with appropriate procedures.
- Resistant to magnetic application due to its martensitic structure.
Standard Chemical Composition of 420 Stainless Steel
Applications of 420 Stainless Steel
Mechanical Properties
Equivalent Grades of 420 Stainless Steel
Core 420 Family Variants (EN/DIN & AISI)
British Standards (BS 420S Series)
Japanese Standards (JIS SUS420 Series)
Special Variants
Forms Available
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420 Stainless Steel is one of the most versatile martensitic grades, widely chosen for its strength, hardness, and durability. At Nifty Alloys, we are a leading supplier of 420 stainless steel bars, sheets, and plates in India, UAE, USA, and across Europe. Our expertise ensures you receive high-quality stainless steel with complete certifications and global standards.
Whether you need 420 stainless steel round bars for machining, plates for industrial tools, or precision components for medical applications, Nifty Alloys delivers with reliability and speed. Our stock covers a variety of sizes, heat-treated conditions, and finishes, making us a trusted source for engineers, fabricators, and manufacturers worldwide.
If you are looking for 420 stainless steel suppliers near you, trust Nifty Alloys for competitive prices, fast delivery, and global export support. Explore our related grades like 410 Stainless Steel and 416 Stainless Steel to find the right solution for your project.
