Stainless Steel 1.4028
EN 1.4028 · GB 3Cr13
1.4028 (X30Cr13, 420 / SUS420J2) is a higher-carbon 13% Cr martensitic stainless that hardens to about 52–54 HRC, used where a stainless steel must hold a cutting edge or resist wear.
Reference datasheet — 1.4028 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +A condition
1.4028 tempers and conditions
1.4028 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. +A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ADefault Annealed | Pick the soft annealed delivery condition (≤235 HB) for machining and cold forming ahead of customer hardening; strength is capped near 740 MPa tensile with 17% elongation. | 450 | 740 | 17 | 15 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Choose annealed-then-cold-drawn bar for turned parts needing tight diameter tolerance and straightness; drawing lifts yield to 620 MPa but cuts formability and elongation to 12%. | 620 | 820 | 12 | 24 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, Rm 800–950 MPa | Choose this quenched and tempered EN grade (Rm 800–950 MPa) for shafts, valve stems and fasteners needing balanced toughness and medium strength; welding remains difficult at 265 HB. | 650 | 870 | 14 | 26 HRC | — |
Cold rolled hard strip | Use cold rolled hard strip for blanking blades and shims that are hardened after stamping; 900 MPa tensile comes with 8% elongation and limited bending capability. | 700 | 900 | 8 | 28 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, Rm 850–1000 MPa | Pick the next quench-and-temper step up (Rm 850–1000 MPa) for loaded shafts and pump or valve parts, accepting 12% elongation and machinability down to 36. | 700 | 920 | 12 | 30 HRC | — |
Hardened and tempered ~400 °C | Choose hardening with a tempering near 400 °C (~46–48 HRC) for die and shaft parts needing a hardness-toughness compromise; avoid tempering in the 450–550 °C embrittlement range. | 1,300 | 1,550 | 6 | 47 HRC | — |
Hardened 1000–1050 °C, tempered 180–250 °C | Use hardening at 1000–1050 °C with a 180–250 °C temper (~52–54 HRC) for knives, surgical blades and wear parts; toughness drops to 3% elongation and machining is nearly impossible. | 1,500 | 1,800 | 3 | 53 HRC | — |
What is 1.4028?
1.4028 (X30Cr13, 420 / SUS420J2) is a higher-carbon 13% Cr martensitic stainless that hardens to about 52–54 HRC, used where a stainless steel must hold a cutting edge or resist wear. Stock forms include cold-rolled strip, bar and plate in +A, +C, +CR, +QT800, +QT850 and hardened-and-tempered H+T200 / H+T400; the default condition gives about 450 MPa yield, 740 MPa tensile, 17% elongation and 210 HB (15 HRC), with service to 500 °C. Weldability is poor and all forming must be done annealed. 1.4031 gives higher hardness, 1.4021 more toughness. 1.4028 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). 1.4028 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
What is 1.4028 used for?
- knives
- surgical instruments
- scissors
- valve seats
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 92% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 42/100, worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 17%, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
1.4028 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4028-+A; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4028 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical15
1.4028 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4028 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4028 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4028 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
1.4028's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 1.4028 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4028
Is 1.4028 easy to machine?
Machine annealed with sharp cobalt HSS or coated carbide at reduced speeds and with plenty of coolant. Above 45 HRC the grade is essentially grind-only, or turned with CBN.
Can 1.4028 be welded?
Weldability is poor: preheat to 150–300 °C, use low-hydrogen matching or austenitic filler, and temper immediately at 700–750 °C to prevent cold cracking and martensite embrittlement.
Can 1.4028 be formed, bent or molded?
Only mild cold bending, blanking and roll forming in the annealed condition; re-harden and temper afterwards to restore properties. Hot forming range is approximately 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling.
1.4028 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10088-3 X30Cr13 | 0.26 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Sfree-machining variant 1.4029 has S 0.15–0.35 | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Niresidual, some mill specs | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4028?
After quench and temper it polishes to a mirror finish and should be passivated for best corrosion resistance. PVD (TiN/CrN) or hard chrome raises wear life; the grade cannot be anodised.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 1.4028 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 1.4028 cost?
1.4028 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.4028 — frequently asked
What is 1.4028 used for?
1.4028 is typically used for knives, surgical instruments, scissors and valve seats. In short: 52–54 HRC after hardening; cutlery-grade 13% Cr; poor weldability.
What is the yield strength of 1.4028?
1.4028 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.4028 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades). Machine annealed with sharp cobalt HSS or coated carbide at reduced speeds and with plenty of coolant. Above 45 HRC the grade is essentially grind-only, or turned with CBN.
Can 1.4028 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Weldability is poor: preheat to 150–300 °C, use low-hydrogen matching or austenitic filler, and temper immediately at 700–750 °C to prevent cold cracking and martensite embrittlement.
What surface finishes work on 1.4028?
After quench and temper it polishes to a mirror finish and should be passivated for best corrosion resistance. PVD (TiN/CrN) or hard chrome raises wear life; the grade cannot be anodised.
Can 1.4028 be formed, bent or molded?
Only mild cold bending, blanking and roll forming in the annealed condition; re-harden and temper afterwards to restore properties. Hot forming range is approximately 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4028?
1.4028 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1.4028 cost?
1.4028 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10088-3 Stainless steels – Semi-finished products, bars, rods — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-1 Stainless steels – List of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 (3Cr13/30Cr13) — SAC (2007)
- JIS G 4303 Stainless steel bars (SUS420J2) — JSA (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection – Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- Martensitic stainless bar/strip datasheets (X30Cr13 / 420) — Outokumpu / Böhler / Sandvik (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.