Stainless Steel 420C vs CX
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 420C and CX are both stainless steel grades. CX is the stronger of the two: yield strength 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 420C, about 96% more; tensile strength follows at 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, 420C is the more ductile: elongation 17% versus 11% for CX, and CX is harder (310 HB vs 220 HB). 420C is stiffer (215 GPa vs 185 GPa) and 420C runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, CX welds better (very good vs poor) and CX sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than 420C (premium, $$$).
420CChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
CXChoose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
420C vs CX: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 420C | CX |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | As Printed |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
420C vs CX — frequently asked
Is CX stronger than 420C?
Yes. CX has a typical yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for 420C — about 96% more. Tensile strength is 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 420C or CX?
CX is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while 420C is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 420C or CX?
420C, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 45/100 against 38/100 for CX; for welding the order is CX first (very good, 70/100) then 420C (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 420C and CX side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.