Stainless Steel 3Cr13 QT-55HRC
Hardness band
EN 3Cr13 · UNS S42000
QT-55HRC = 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.
Values for the QT-55HRC condition
Other 3Cr13 tempers and conditions
3Cr13 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 3Cr13.
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 | — |
QT-55HRCThis page 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 QT-55HRC?
3Cr13 QT-55HRC is 3Cr13 heat treated to QT-55HRC — maximum-hardness condition for cutting edges and razor/knife blades where edge retention beats toughness. 3Cr13 QT-55HRC has a yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 3Cr13 QT-55HRC 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). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-55HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- 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
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 3/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 35/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
3Cr13 QT-55HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 3Cr13 QT-55HRC; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 3Cr13 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
3Cr13 QT-55HRC 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 QT-55HRC has a yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
3Cr13 QT-55HRC is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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 QT-55HRC conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 3Cr13 QT-55HRC 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 QT-55HRC's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability not recommended (3/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 3Cr13 QT-55HRC
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.
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.
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 | — |
3Cr13 QT-55HRC — frequently asked
What is 3Cr13 QT-55HRC used for?
3Cr13 QT-55HRC 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 QT-55HRC?
3Cr13 QT-55HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 3Cr13 QT-55HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% 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 QT-55HRC 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 QT-55HRC?
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 QT-55HRC 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 QT-55HRC?
3Cr13 QT-55HRC is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.