Stainless Steel 1.4031 / AISI 420C
General Technical Characteristics
Stainless steel 1.4031 / AISI 420C is a high-carbon martensitic corrosion-resistant steel designed to achieve high hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment. This grade belongs to the AISI 420 family and features a higher carbon content compared to AISI 420 and 420F.
AISI 420C steel can reach high hardness after quenching and tempering, making it widely used for manufacturing cutting and wear-resistant tools. At the same time, stainless steel 1.4031 maintains moderate corrosion resistance in atmospheric conditions and mildly aggressive environments.
The material responds well to heat treatment, allowing its mechanical properties to be adjusted depending on service requirements.
Applications
Stainless steel 1.4031 / AISI 420C is widely used in various industries:
- production of cutting tools
- knives and blades
- surgical and medical instruments
- components for pump equipment
- valves and fittings
- wear-resistant machine parts
- instrument engineering
High hardness makes AISI 420C an optimal material for products operating under intensive wear conditions.
Features and Advantages
Key advantages of stainless steel 1.4031:
- high hardness after heat treatment
- excellent wear resistance
- good strength
- ability to tailor properties through heat treatment
- sufficient corrosion resistance
- good surface polishability
These characteristics make AISI 420C widely used in the production of high-strength tools and components.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content % |
|---|---|
| Chromium (Cr) | 12–14 |
| Carbon (C) | 0.30–0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.04 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.03 |
| Iron (Fe) | balance |
Mechanical Properties
Main mechanical properties of AISI 420C steel (after heat treatment):
- Tensile Strength (Rm): 750–950 MPa
- Yield Strength (Rp0.2): ≥ 500 MPa
- Elongation: ≥ 10 %
- Hardness: up to 52–55 HRC
High hardness, strength, and wear resistance make stainless steel 1.4031 / AISI 420C a reliable material for manufacturing cutting tools, medical instruments, and components operating under increased loads.
