Stainless Steel 430F · hardness band
Stainless Steel 430F H&T 40-45 HRC
Properties of the H&T 40-45 HRC condition, compared with the other 430F tempers.
Maximum-hardness condition for wear surfaces, valve seats and small tooling; toughness and corrosion resistance drop.
What is 430F H&T 40-45 HRC?
430F H&T 40-45 HRC is 430F heat treated to H&T 40-45 HRC — maximum-hardness condition for wear surfaces, valve seats and small tooling; toughness and corrosion resistance drop. 430F H&T 40-45 HRC has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 430F H&T 40-45 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H&T 40-45 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,000 MPa (145 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.2 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 94% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
430F H&T 40-45 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 430F H&T 40-45 HRC — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 430F temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
430F H&T 40-45 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical13
430F H&T 40-45 HRC has a yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
430F H&T 40-45 HRC is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 26 W/m·K (15 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
430F H&T 40-45 HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 430F H&T 40-45 HRC takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 3.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 70%.
Manufacturability7
430F H&T 40-45 HRC's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 430F tempers and conditions
430F is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 430F overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stocked condition for automatic-lathe turning and subsequent forming or heat treatment.380 MPa yield · 175 HB
- H&T 40-45 HRCMaximum-hardness condition for wear surfaces, valve seats and small tooling; toughness and corrosion resistance drop.1,000 MPa yield · 43 HRC
- Cold DrawnChoose for straight, close-tolerance bar with higher strength for screw-machine parts and shafts.550 MPa yield · 235 HB
- QT650Use the higher-carbon EN 1.4104 variant when moderate strength plus better wear resistance is needed.500 MPa yield · 22 HRC
Working with 430F H&T 40-45 HRC
Is 430F easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behavior — run 20–40 % faster than 430, use positive rake carbide, sharp tools and good chip evacuation; sulfides give short chips and clean threads.
Can 430F be welded?
Not recommended: sulfur promotes hot cracking and the HAZ coarsens/embrittles; if unavoidable, preheat 150–250 °C, use 309L filler and post-weld anneal.
Can 430F be formed, bent or molded?
Only light bending, upsetting or knurling — sulfide stringers cause transverse splitting; form generously radiused and avoid cold heading.
What surface finishes work on 430F?
Passivate (ASTM A967 nitric or citric) after machining to reduce sulfide-initiated rust; hard chrome, electroless nickel or black oxide are used where more corrosion or wear resistance is needed; mirror polishing shows inclusion pits.
430F 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 1.4104 runs 0.10–0.17 %C and is hardenable | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.25 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Sfree-machining addition; EN 1.4104 0.15–0.35 | ≥ 0.15 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Mooptional in S43020; EN 1.4104 specifies 0.20–0.60 | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Niresidual, not specified in ASTM A582 | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance | — |
430F H&T 40-45 HRC — frequently asked
What is 430F H&T 40-45 HRC used for?
430F H&T 40-45 HRC is typically used for machined fittings, solenoid cores and armatures, valve components, shafts and pins, screw-machine fasteners and sensor and instrument bodies. In short: free-machining ferritic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 430F H&T 40-45 HRC?
430F H&T 40-45 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 430F H&T 40-45 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 73% of stainless steel grades). Excellent free-cutting behavior — run 20–40 % faster than 430, use positive rake carbide, sharp tools and good chip evacuation; sulfides give short chips and clean threads.
Can 430F H&T 40-45 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended: sulfur promotes hot cracking and the HAZ coarsens/embrittles; if unavoidable, preheat 150–250 °C, use 309L filler and post-weld anneal.
What surface finishes work on 430F H&T 40-45 HRC?
Passivate (ASTM A967 nitric or citric) after machining to reduce sulfide-initiated rust; hard chrome, electroless nickel or black oxide are used where more corrosion or wear resistance is needed; mirror polishing shows inclusion pits.
Can 430F H&T 40-45 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Only light bending, upsetting or knurling — sulfide stringers cause transverse splitting; form generously radiused and avoid cold heading.
What is the maximum service temperature of 430F H&T 40-45 HRC?
430F H&T 40-45 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 430F Annealed and 430F-QT650?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for automatic-lathe turning and subsequent forming or heat treatment. QT650: use the higher-carbon EN 1.4104 variant when moderate strength plus better wear resistance is needed. Yield strength is 380 MPa in Annealed versus 500 MPa in QT650.
Can FabDigit make parts in 430F H&T 40-45 HRC?
Yes — 430F H&T 40-45 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A582/A582M — Free-Machining Stainless Steel Bars — ASTM (2021)
- EN 10088-3 (X14CrMoS17, 1.4104) — CEN (2014)
- JIS G 4303 (SUS430F) — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 1220 (Y1Cr17) — SAC (2007)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Free-machining ferritic/martensitic stainless bar datasheets (1.4104) — Sandvik / Outokumpu (2023)
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.