Stainless Steel S41003 Hardened
Heat-treated state
UNS S41003 · EN 1.4003, X2CrNi12
Maximum hardness/wear condition for liners and wear plate; low toughness, normally tempered before service.
Values for the Hardened condition
Other S41003 tempers and conditions
S41003 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S41003.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault hot rolled, annealed and pickled (HRAP / 1D plate) | Standard stocked condition for plate and structural sections — best ductility, weldability and formability. | 350 | 500 | 27 | 165 HB | — |
as-rolled plate, not annealed (1U/1C) | Lowest-cost heavy plate/section condition where surface finish and maximum ductility are not critical. | 390 | 560 | 22 | 185 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
bar, cold finished from annealed stock | Bar stock with tighter tolerance, higher strength and better chip control for turned parts and shafts. | 520 | 640 | 15 | 210 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
Q&T | Choose when higher yield strength with retained toughness is needed in machined or wear components. | 550 | 700 | 18 | 22 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
HardenedThis page austenitised ~980 °C and air cooled, untempered | Maximum hardness/wear condition for liners and wear plate; low toughness, normally tempered before service. | 700 | 950 | 12 | 33 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
What is S41003 Hardened?
S41003 Hardened is S41003 heat treated to Hardened — maximum hardness/wear condition for liners and wear plate; low toughness, normally tempered before service. S41003 Hardened has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). S41003 Hardened 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Hardened is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 28 W/m·K (16.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3 kg CO₂/kg, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 92% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Hard to polish — 50/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
S41003 Hardened properties
Typical room-temperature values for S41003 Hardened; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S41003 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S41003 Hardened 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).
Mechanical16
S41003 Hardened has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
S41003 Hardened is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 28 W/m·K (16.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 97% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S41003 Hardened conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S41003 Hardened takes about 40 MJ of energy and emits 3 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability6
S41003 Hardened's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S41003 Hardened
Is S41003 easy to machine?
Machines more easily than 304 (less work hardening, lower stickiness) — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant; expect ~55% of 1212 rating.
Can S41003 be welded?
Readily welded by GMAW/GTAW/FCAW/SAW with 309L or 316L fillers (or matching low-C 12Cr wire); low carbon keeps HAZ martensite soft, so preheat is usually unnecessary below ~20 mm but keep heat input moderate and interpass < 150 °C.
Can S41003 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, rolls and press-brake work well with generous inside radii (≈2t) and grain-direction awareness; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic grades, hot forming at 800–1100 °C followed by annealing is preferred for severe shapes.
What surface finishes work on S41003?
Supplied as a utility finish — pickled/blasted plate or 2B sheet; can be ground, brushed or painted (excellent paint substrate) but does not take a mirror polish as well as 304, and light surface rust staining in wet service is cosmetic rather than structural.
S41003 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 / EN 1.4003 max 0.030 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| SEN 1.4003 limits S to 0.015 max | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 10.5 – 12.5 | 11.5 |
| NiEN 1.4003: 0.30–1.00 | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
S41003 Hardened — frequently asked
What is S41003 Hardened used for?
S41003 Hardened is typically used for mining chutes and bins, railway wagons, structural weldments, water treatment equipment and storage tanks. In short: cheapest weldable stainless; carbon steel replacement grade; good abrasion-corrosion balance.
What is the yield strength of S41003 Hardened?
S41003 Hardened has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 92% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S41003 Hardened easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 70% of stainless steel grades). Machines more easily than 304 (less work hardening, lower stickiness) — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant; expect ~55% of 1212 rating.
Can S41003 Hardened be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Readily welded by GMAW/GTAW/FCAW/SAW with 309L or 316L fillers (or matching low-C 12Cr wire); low carbon keeps HAZ martensite soft, so preheat is usually unnecessary below ~20 mm but keep heat input moderate and interpass < 150 °C.
What surface finishes work on S41003 Hardened?
Supplied as a utility finish — pickled/blasted plate or 2B sheet; can be ground, brushed or painted (excellent paint substrate) but does not take a mirror polish as well as 304, and light surface rust staining in wet service is cosmetic rather than structural.
Can S41003 Hardened be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, rolls and press-brake work well with generous inside radii (≈2t) and grain-direction awareness; deep drawing is limited compared with austenitic grades, hot forming at 800–1100 °C followed by annealing is preferred for severe shapes.
What is the maximum service temperature of S41003 Hardened?
S41003 Hardened is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (UNS S41003) — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1 / EN 10088-2 — Stainless steels: grades and technical delivery conditions (1.4003, X2CrNi12) — CEN (2014)
- 3CR12 utility ferritic stainless steel technical brochure — Columbus Stainless (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.