MATERIAL INTRODUCTION
420 Stainless Steel Strip
Martensitic hardenable stainless steel strip, density: 7.75 g/cm³.
- Grade
- 420
- Thickness
- 0.02–3.0 mm
- Width
- 2 mm
Chemical Composition (wt%)
| C | Cr | Mn | Si | Ni |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.16～0.25 | 12.0～14.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤0.6 |
420J2 variant: C 0.26～0.40, achieves higher hardness after quenching
Applicable Standards
| Standard / Designation |
|---|
| GB/T 3280 |
| JIS G4305 / JIS G4313 |
| ASTM A240 |
| EN 10088-2 (1.4021) |
Tempers & Hardness
| Temper | Hardness / Characteristics |
|---|---|
| ANN (Annealed, Soft Temper) | HV ≤220, good ductility for stamping & bending |
| 1/4H | 230–260 HV |
| 1/2H | 260–300 HV |
| 3/4H | 300–340 HV |
| FH (Full Hard) | ≥340 HV |
(as-supplied, unquenched)
Note: Hardness above is delivery condition. After quenching & tempering, HRC 48~55 achievable for high wear resistance. Magnetic.
Common Surface Finishes
| Surface | Description / Applications |
|---|---|
| 2B | Matte silver finish, highest cost-performance, primary grade for industrial stamping |
| BA (Bright Annealed) | Bright reflective surface, for cosmetic parts |
| No.4, HL Hairline | Decorative & cutter surface |
Size Range & Precision Slitting (Edge trimming and deburring)
0.02–3.0 mmThickness
2 mmWidth
±0.002 mmTight tolerance available
Can be slit and precision cut per drawings. Please confirm required dimensions and achievable tolerances with your inquiry.
Material Features
- Martensitic grade, nickel-free, hardenable by heat treatment, excellent wear resistance and edge retention, inherently magnetic
- Corrosion resistance inferior to 304, suitable only for dry and mildly corrosive environments, not for chloride / brine service
- Poor weldability, prone to cracking after welding; heat-treated hardness will be lost
- Two common subgrades: J1 / J2. J2 has higher carbon for higher hardness but less toughness
Applications
Cutting blades, scissors, nail clippers, valve cores, bearing bushes, medical device parts, wear-resistant gaskets, edge components, tableware
Material Comparison
| Grade | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 420J1 | Better toughness, general cutting parts |
| 420J2 | Higher quenched hardness, superior sharpness |
| 301 | Austenitic, harden only by cold rolling for spring property, better corrosion resistance than 420 |
| 304 | Austenitic, non-magnetic (weak magnetism after cold work), non-hardenable, good corrosion resistance, not for cutting edges |