Stainless Steel 3Cr13
EN 3Cr13 · UNS S42000
3Cr13 (X30Cr13, S42000) is a Chinese national-standard martensitic stainless close to AISI 420, hardened by quench and temper for a balance of hardness and toughness.
Reference datasheet — 3Cr13 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
3Cr13 tempers and conditions
3Cr13 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocked condition for bar, plate and strip that will be machined or formed and then hardened by the user. | 380 | 660 | 22 | 190 HB | — |
Hot rolled + annealed plate/bar | Heavy plate and hot-rolled black bar delivered annealed; pick for large machined parts and mould blocks. | 400 | 680 | 20 | 14 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Cold rolled annealed strip/sheet | Thin strip for blanking knife blades, razor parts and stampings before hardening. | 420 | 700 | 18 | 15 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Q&T | GB/T 1220 tempered condition for shafts, valve stems and fasteners needing strength plus usable toughness. | 610 | 820 | 16 | 22 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Bright drawn bar with tighter tolerance and better surface for shafts and screw-machine parts. | 620 | 820 | 13 | 24 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Hardened + tempered ~400 °C, 40–45 HRC | Mid-hardness setting for mould cavities, gears and wear parts that still need some toughness. | 1,080 | 1,320 | 11 | 43 HRC | — |
Hardened + tempered 250–300 °C, 48–52 HRC | Typical GB/T 1220 hardened delivery (≥48 HRC) for blades, shears, surgical instruments and wear surfaces. | 1,350 | 1,600 | 8 | 50 HRC | — |
Hardened + stress-relief temper 150–200 °C, 52–56 HRC | Maximum-hardness condition for cutting edges and razor/knife blades where edge retention beats toughness. | 1,500 | 1,800 | 4 | 54 HRC | — |
What is 3Cr13?
3Cr13 (X30Cr13, S42000) is a Chinese national-standard martensitic stainless close to AISI 420, hardened by quench and temper for a balance of hardness and toughness. It is used for knives, scissors, moulds and hardware fittings, and is on file hot-rolled annealed, cold-rolled annealed, cold-drawn and in QT conditions from 217 HB to 55 HRC; the annealed default gives 380 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation and 190 HB, with service to 650 °C. Corrosion resistance (42) suits fresh water and dry indoor service, not chlorides, and weldability is poor. 4Cr13 is the step up when higher hardness is needed. 3Cr13 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 3Cr13 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 3Cr13 used for?
- knives
- scissors
- molds
- hardware fittings
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24.9 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 42/100, worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 35/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 22%, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
3Cr13 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3Cr13-A; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
3Cr13 has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 65% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
3Cr13 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
3Cr13 is rated for continuous service to 650°C (1,202 °F). It conducts heat at 24.9 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
3Cr13 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 3Cr13 takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability6
3Cr13's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); 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. 3Cr13 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 3Cr13
Is 3Cr13 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with sharp carbide or cobalt HSS tooling, rigid setups and generous coolant; above ~45 HRC switch to grinding or CBN/hard turning.
Can 3Cr13 be welded?
Poor weldability — preheat 200–300 °C, use 410/309 filler or matching wire, and temper immediately after welding to avoid hard, cracking-prone HAZ martensite.
Can 3Cr13 be formed, bent or molded?
Only light cold forming in the annealed state (bend radii ≥2t); hot work at 1100–850 °C and cool slowly, then anneal at 750–800 °C before machining.
3Cr13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 1220 30Cr13 | 0.26 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Pimpurity | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Simpurity | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Niresidual allowed | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 3Cr13?
Harden, temper, then grind/polish and passivate in nitric or citric acid for best corrosion resistance; hard chrome, PVD or QPQ nitriding are common for wear and rust protection.
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 3Cr13 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 3Cr13 cost?
3Cr13 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.
3Cr13 — frequently asked
What is 3Cr13 used for?
3Cr13 is typically used for knives, scissors, molds and hardware fittings. In short: best-forming 13 % Cr martensitic; low-cost knife and mould steel; hardens to 55 HRC.
What is the yield strength of 3Cr13?
3Cr13 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 3Cr13 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with sharp carbide or cobalt HSS tooling, rigid setups and generous coolant; above ~45 HRC switch to grinding or CBN/hard turning.
Can 3Cr13 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Poor weldability — preheat 200–300 °C, use 410/309 filler or matching wire, and temper immediately after welding to avoid hard, cracking-prone HAZ martensite.
What surface finishes work on 3Cr13?
Harden, temper, then grind/polish and passivate in nitric or citric acid for best corrosion resistance; hard chrome, PVD or QPQ nitriding are common for wear and rust protection.
Can 3Cr13 be formed, bent or molded?
Only light cold forming in the annealed state (bend radii ≥2t); hot work at 1100–850 °C and cool slowly, then anneal at 750–800 °C before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 3Cr13?
3Cr13 is rated for continuous use to about 650°C (1,202 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 3Cr13-A and 3Cr13-CD?
A is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bar, plate and strip that will be machined or formed and then hardened by the user. CD: bright drawn bar with tighter tolerance and better surface for shafts and screw-machine parts. Yield strength is 380 MPa in A versus 620 MPa in CD.
How much does 3Cr13 cost?
3Cr13 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
- GB/T 1220 (30Cr13) — SAC (2007)
- ASTM A276/A276M Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (Type 420) — ASTM (2017)
- EN 10088-3 (X30Cr13, 1.4028) — CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 420 Stainless Steel Product Data Sheet — AK Steel / Cleveland-Cliffs (2016)
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.