Stainless Steel 1.4031 H+T400
Heat-treated state
EN 1.4031
H+T400 = hardened and tempered 350–450 °C
Used when slightly higher toughness than the cutlery temper is needed; avoid if maximum corrosion resistance matters (secondary carbide precipitation).
Values for the H+T400 condition
Other 1.4031 tempers and conditions
1.4031 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.4031.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ADefault Annealed | Standard supply condition for bar, strip and blanks that will be machined/blanked and hardened afterwards. | 450 | 760 | 16 | 220 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered to 800–950 MPa tensile | Choose for shafts, pins, valve parts and fittings that need moderate strength with usable ductility rather than maximum hardness (high tempering temperature). | 660 | 870 | 14 | 27 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Pick for close-tolerance bright bar or hard strip where extra straightness and surface finish are needed before hardening. | 700 | 900 | 10 | 27 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered to 900–1050 MPa tensile | Mill-supplied higher-strength quenched-and-tempered bar where a bit more yield strength is required and ductility can drop. | 750 | 960 | 12 | 31 HRC | — |
H+T400This page Hardened and tempered 350–450 °C | Used when slightly higher toughness than the cutlery temper is needed; avoid if maximum corrosion resistance matters (secondary carbide precipitation). | 1,350 | 1,600 | 5 | 49 HRC | — |
Hardened ~1030 °C, oil/air quenched, tempered 150–200 °C | The cutlery/instrument condition: maximum hardness, wear resistance and edge retention, at the cost of very low impact toughness. | 1,550 | 1,900 | 2 | 55 HRC | — |
What is 1.4031 H+T400?
1.4031 H+T400 is 1.4031 heat treated to H+T400 — used when slightly higher toughness than the cutlery temper is needed; avoid if maximum corrosion resistance matters (secondary carbide precipitation). 1.4031 H+T400 has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 1.4031 H+T400 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). +A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H+T400 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,350 MPa (196 ksi), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- 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
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), worse than 84% of stainless steel grades
1.4031 H+T400 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4031 H+T400; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.4031 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4031 H+T400 has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
1.4031 H+T400 has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4031 H+T400 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °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
1.4031 H+T400 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 95% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4031 H+T400 takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
1.4031 H+T400's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1.4031 H+T400
Is 1.4031 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid carbide tooling, moderate speed and heavy coolant; the alloy work-hardens and is nearly ungrindable-only above ~45 HRC.
Can 1.4031 be welded?
Poor weldability due to ~0.4 %C — preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or austenitic (309/316) filler and temper immediately after welding, otherwise cracking is likely.
Can 1.4031 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in the soft annealed state and with generous bend radii; hot work 1100→850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, harden from 1000–1050 °C in oil/air and temper below 250 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1.4031?
Takes a mirror polish; passivate in nitric or citric acid after machining and grinding, and consider hard-chrome or PVD coatings for extra wear/corrosion protection — no anodizing.
1.4031 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 10088-1 X39Cr13 | 0.36 – 0.42 | 0.39 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S≤0.015 for some cutlery strip qualities | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Niresidual, mill practice limit | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4031 H+T400 — frequently asked
What is 1.4031 H+T400 used for?
1.4031 H+T400 is typically used for knives, scissors, surgical instruments and dental tools. In short: 54–56 HRC blade steel; hardest 13% Cr grade here; not for welded assemblies.
What is the yield strength of 1.4031 H+T400?
1.4031 H+T400 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1.4031 H+T400 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid carbide tooling, moderate speed and heavy coolant; the alloy work-hardens and is nearly ungrindable-only above ~45 HRC.
Can 1.4031 H+T400 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability due to ~0.4 %C — preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or austenitic (309/316) filler and temper immediately after welding, otherwise cracking is likely.
What surface finishes work on 1.4031 H+T400?
Takes a mirror polish; passivate in nitric or citric acid after machining and grinding, and consider hard-chrome or PVD coatings for extra wear/corrosion protection — no anodizing.
Can 1.4031 H+T400 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in the soft annealed state and with generous bend radii; hot work 1100→850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, harden from 1000–1050 °C in oil/air and temper below 250 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4031 H+T400?
1.4031 H+T400 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 10088-1 Stainless steels — List of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-3 Technical delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire and sections — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 (4Cr13) — SAC (2007)
- JIS G 4303 (SUS420J2) — JSA (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Martensitic stainless steel X39Cr13 / 1.4031 data sheet — European long-products mill (typical) (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.