Stainless Steel 1.4116
EN 1.4116
1.4116 (X50CrMoV15) is a martensitic chromium stainless with molybdenum and vanadium additions for edge stability and toughness, supplied annealed, cold rolled, and hardened and tempered to 50–52 HRC or 56–58 HRC.
Values for the Annealed condition
1.4116 tempers and conditions
1.4116 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed strip/bar for machining and blanking | Pick for blanking, stamping, machining and forging of blades before hardening. | 450 | 780 | 17 | 240 HB | — |
work-hardened annealed strip as delivered from the mill | Pick when thin strip must hold flatness/temper for stamping small blades before hardening. | 750 | 950 | 8 | 31 HRC | — |
Hardened & Tempered to 50–52 HRC | Pick for large or impact-loaded blades, cleavers and machine knives where chipping must be avoided. | 1,450 | 1,700 | 4 | 51 HRC | — |
austenitize ~1020–1080 °C, oil/air quench, temper 150–200 °C to 54–56 HRC | Standard finished-blade condition: best balance of edge holding, toughness and corrosion resistance. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 2 | 55 HRC | — |
Hardened & Tempered to 56–58 HRC | Pick for thin kitchen/scalpel edges where wear resistance matters more than impact toughness. | 1,750 | 2,050 | 1.5 | 57 HRC | — |
What is 1.4116?
1.4116 (X50CrMoV15) is a martensitic chromium stainless with molybdenum and vanadium additions for edge stability and toughness, supplied annealed, cold rolled, and hardened and tempered to 50–52 HRC or 56–58 HRC. It is the standard grade for mass-produced kitchen and pocket knives and for instruments that must be both corrosion resistant and hardenable. Annealed properties are 450 MPa yield, 780 MPa tensile and 17% elongation at 240 HB; service is limited to about 400 °C, weldability is poor and corrosion resistance (score 48) is below the stabilized ferritics. 420HC is the closest alternative. 1.4116 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). 1.4116 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 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 1.4116 used for?
- Kitchen and chef knives
- Pocket and folding knife blades
- Surgical and dental instruments
- Scissors and shears
- Food processing blades
- Scalpel and razor blades
- Hand tool cutting edges
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 17%, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 48/100, worse than 80% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
1.4116 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4116-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
1.4116 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).
Mechanical14
1.4116 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4116 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
1.4116 conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (48/100), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4116 takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
1.4116's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. 1.4116 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1.4116
Is 1.4116 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with sharp carbide tools, rigid setups and flood coolant (≈45 % of 1212); after hardening, work by grinding/EDM only.
Can 1.4116 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use austenitic filler and post-weld temper.
Can 1.4116 be formed, bent or molded?
Blank, stamp and forge in the annealed condition (forge 1050–1100 °C, slow cool, then anneal ~800–850 °C); harden from 1020–1080 °C with oil/air quench and temper 150–250 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1.4116. Every 1.4116 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Poor20 / 100 |
1.4116 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.45 – 0.55 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Smax per EN 10088-3; some suppliers 0.030 max | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cr | 14 – 15 | 14.5 |
| Mo | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1.4116?
Grinds and polishes to a bright mirror finish; passivate or electropolish after grinding for best stainless behaviour, or apply PVD/DLC coatings below the tempering temperature.
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 1.4116 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- X50CrMoV15
- Also called
- Cutlery Steel
How much does 1.4116 cost?
1.4116 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1.4116 — frequently asked
What is 1.4116 used for?
1.4116 is typically used for kitchen and chef knives, pocket and folding knife blades, surgical and dental instruments, scissors and shears, food processing blades and scalpel and razor blades. In short: cutlery-grade German stainless.
What is the yield strength of 1.4116?
1.4116 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1.4116 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with sharp carbide tools, rigid setups and flood coolant (≈45 % of 1212); after hardening, work by grinding/EDM only.
Can 1.4116 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use austenitic filler and post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 1.4116?
Grinds and polishes to a bright mirror finish; passivate or electropolish after grinding for best stainless behaviour, or apply PVD/DLC coatings below the tempering temperature.
Can 1.4116 be formed, bent or molded?
Blank, stamp and forge in the annealed condition (forge 1050–1100 °C, slow cool, then anneal ~800–850 °C); harden from 1020–1080 °C with oil/air quench and temper 150–250 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4116?
1.4116 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1.4116 cost?
1.4116 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.4116?
Yes — 1.4116 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 Stainless steels — X50CrMoV15 (1.4116) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 / 5Cr15MoV — SAC (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B / Vol.16 — Corrosion and Machining — ASM International (2005)
- Cutlery strip steel datasheets (1.4116 / X50CrMoV15) — European strip producers (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.