Stainless Steel 420J1
EN 420J1 · JIS SUS420J1
420J1 (EN 1.4021 / X20Cr13 / 2Cr13) is a hardenable 13 % chromium martensitic stainless steel with about 0.20 % carbon, supplied annealed for machining and forming and then quenched and tempered to reach 45–52 HRC.
Values for the Annealed condition
420J1 tempers and conditions
420J1 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (+A), 750–800 °C slow cool | Default stock condition for machining, cold forming and blanking before customer heat treatment. | 440 | 700 | 22 | 195 HB | — |
quenched and tempered to Rm 650–850 MPa (high temper) | Tough structural condition for shafts, bolts and fittings where ductility matters more than hardness. | 500 | 740 | 17 | 18 HRC | — |
as hot-rolled / hot-rolled and descaled bar or plate | Low-cost as-rolled feedstock for forging and re-heat-treatment; not for finished dimensional or mechanical duty. | 500 | 800 | 16 | 22 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
quenched and tempered to Rm 750–950 MPa | Mid-strength engineering condition for valve stems, pump shafts and machined fittings. | 610 | 830 | 14 | 24 HRC | — |
cold-drawn / peeled bar from annealed stock | Pick for close-tolerance bright bar with better surface and chip control where no subsequent hardening is planned. | 620 | 830 | 12 | 23 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
quenched and tempered to Rm 800–1000 MPa | Highest tempered-strength EN condition, used for higher-load shafts and blades still needing measurable toughness. | 660 | 880 | 13 | 27 HRC | — |
980–1050 °C oil/air quench + 150–250 °C temper, 45–52 HRC | Choose for cutlery edges, wear parts and instruments that need maximum hardness and best passive-film corrosion behaviour. | 1,350 | 1,600 | 8 | 48 HRC | — |
quench + 180 °C stress relief only, 50–54 HRC | Maximum-hardness cutting/wear condition supplied for knife blades and dies where toughness is secondary. | 1,500 | 1,750 | 3 | 52 HRC | — |
What is 420J1?
420J1 (EN 1.4021 / X20Cr13 / 2Cr13) is a hardenable 13 % chromium martensitic stainless steel with about 0.20 % carbon, supplied annealed for machining and forming and then quenched and tempered to reach 45–52 HRC. It is chosen when moderate corrosion resistance in fresh water, steam and mild atmospheres must be combined with high strength, wear resistance and a polishable edge — typical uses are cutlery and kitchen tools, valve stems and seats, pump shafts, steam-turbine blades, fasteners and surgical/dental instruments. Limits are much lower corrosion resistance than austenitic 304/316 (it rusts if not kept passive and polished), poor weldability with mandatory pre/post-heat, low toughness and no sub-zero service, and loss of both hardness and corrosion resistance if tempered in the 450–600 °C range. 420J1 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). 420J1 has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 420J1 used for?
- Cutlery
- Surgical instruments
- Plastic molds
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
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% 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
420J1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 420J1-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
420J1 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).
Mechanical14
420J1 has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 68% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
420J1 is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °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
420J1 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 420J1 takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
420J1's machinability is fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); 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. 420J1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 420J1
Is 420J1 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid tooling, moderate speeds and generous coolant; hardened material above ~45 HRC needs carbide/CBN or grinding.
Can 420J1 be welded?
Poor weldability: preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen 410/420-type or austenitic filler, and post-weld temper at 700–750 °C to avoid martensitic cracking.
Can 420J1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only when fully annealed and with generous radii; hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and annealing, harden from 980–1050 °C with oil or air quench.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 420J1. Every 420J1 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair48 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.4 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 140 / 170 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 |
420J1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CJIS SUS420J1 / EN X20Cr13 | 0.16 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| PEN limit 0.040; JIS 0.040 | ≤ 0.04 | |
| SEN 0.015 max for some products | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Niresidual, JIS allowance | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 420J1?
Takes a bright mirror polish (cutlery finish) which is essential to corrosion performance; passivate after machining, and hard chrome, nitride or PVD coatings are common for extra wear resistance.
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 420J1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 420J1 cost?
420J1 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.
420J1 — frequently asked
What is 420J1 used for?
420J1 is typically used for cutlery, surgical instruments and plastic molds. In short: cutlery-grade martensitic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 420J1?
420J1 has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 68% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 420J1 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, better than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid tooling, moderate speeds and generous coolant; hardened material above ~45 HRC needs carbide/CBN or grinding.
Can 420J1 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Poor weldability: preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen 410/420-type or austenitic filler, and post-weld temper at 700–750 °C to avoid martensitic cracking.
What surface finishes work on 420J1?
Takes a bright mirror polish (cutlery finish) which is essential to corrosion performance; passivate after machining, and hard chrome, nitride or PVD coatings are common for extra wear resistance.
Can 420J1 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only when fully annealed and with generous radii; hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and annealing, harden from 980–1050 °C with oil or air quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of 420J1?
420J1 is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 420J1 Annealed and 420J1-QT800?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock condition for machining, cold forming and blanking before customer heat treatment. QT800: highest tempered-strength EN condition, used for higher-load shafts and blades still needing measurable toughness. Yield strength is 440 MPa in Annealed versus 660 MPa in QT800.
How much does 420J1 cost?
420J1 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 420J1?
Yes — 420J1 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10088-3 Stainless steels — semi-finished products, bars, rods (X20Cr13, 1.4021) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G 4303 Stainless steel bars (SUS420J1) — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 1220 (2Cr13 / 20Cr13) — SAC (2007)
- ASTM A276/A276M Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (Type 420) — ASTM (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Stainless steel 1.4021 / X20Cr13 bar and strip datasheets — Outokumpu / Sandvik / Böhler (2023)
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.