Stainless Steel X20Cr13
EN X20Cr13 · UNS S42000
X20Cr13 is a 13 % Cr martensitic stainless steel (1.4021, S42000, the European equivalent of AISI 420) that gains strength from quench-and-temper rather than from alloy additions.
Reference datasheet — X20Cr13 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
X20Cr13 tempers and conditions
X20Cr13 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. +A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ADefault Annealed | Standard machining/stock condition; machine first, then harden and temper. | 420 | 700 | 22 | 200 HB | — |
Quenched and high-temperature tempered, Rm 650–850 MPa | Toughest QT class — pick when impact energy and machinability matter more than strength. | 510 | 740 | 18 | 18 HRC | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be fully re-heat-treated; hardness and structure vary along the bar. | 520 | 820 | 15 | 24 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, Rm 700–850 MPa | Most common QT delivery condition for shafts, spindles and valve stems in medium sections. | 560 | 780 | 16 | 21 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered, Rm 750–950 MPa | Intermediate strength class for pump shafts and mechanical parts in larger diameters. | 610 | 830 | 14 | 24 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Bright, close-tolerance bar and wire for screw-machine parts and springs-in-the-hardened-state. | 640 | 820 | 12 | 24 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, Rm 800–950 MPa | Highest standard QT class for 1.4021 — use where yield strength dominates and impact demand is modest. | 660 | 880 | 13 | 27 HRC | — |
Hardened ~1000 °C, tempered ~350 °C | Wear-resistant condition with some residual toughness for mould inserts, shafts and pump sleeves. | 1,200 | 1,450 | 8 | 45 HRC | — |
Hardened ~1020 °C, tempered ~200 °C | Maximum hardness and edge retention for knives, surgical/dental instruments and wear plates; lowest toughness. | 1,400 | 1,720 | 4 | 51 HRC | — |
What is X20Cr13?
X20Cr13 is a 13 % Cr martensitic stainless steel (1.4021, S42000, the European equivalent of AISI 420) that gains strength from quench-and-temper rather than from alloy additions. It is stocked as bar, forgings and plate in +A, +AR, +C and +QT650 to +QT800 tempers, with the default condition at 420 MPa yield, 700 MPa tensile, 22 % elongation, 200 HB (93 HRB) and service to 550 °C. Corrosion resistance is modest (score 36) — fresh water, steam and mild organics rather than chlorides — and weldability is limited. Move to X46Cr13 (1.4034) when higher hardness is required. X20Cr13 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). X20Cr13 has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
What is X20Cr13 used for?
- cutlery
- surgical instruments
- hydraulic parts
- 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
- Easy to machine — 50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 36/100, worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 30/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 70 MPa·√m (63.7 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 22%, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
X20Cr13 properties
Typical room-temperature values for X20Cr13-+A; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
X20Cr13 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
X20Cr13 has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
X20Cr13 is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °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
X20Cr13 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (36/100), worse than 96% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of X20Cr13 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
X20Cr13's machinability is fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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. X20Cr13 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with X20Cr13
Is X20Cr13 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or +QT condition with sharp, positive-rake carbide, rigid setups and generous coolant; the alloy work-hardens and forms stringy chips, so finish-machine before hardening and allow ~0.05 % growth on quenching.
Can X20Cr13 be welded?
Limited weldability: preheat 200–300 °C, use 13 % Cr or austenitic 309/309L filler, keep interpass heat and temper at 700–750 °C immediately after welding to avoid hard, crack-prone martensite in the HAZ.
Can X20Cr13 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming only in the +A condition and with generous bend radii (≥2t); hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a full anneal, and never air-cool heavy sections from forging without tempering.
X20Cr13 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 10088-3 for 1.4021 | 0.16 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S≤0.030 allowed for machinability-improved variants (1.4021+S / free-cutting 1.4029) | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cr | 12 – 14 | 13 |
| Ninot specified in EN 10088-3; common producer/ASTM A276 residual limit | ≤ 0.75 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on X20Cr13?
Passivate in nitric or citric acid after machining/grinding; the alloy takes a mirror polish best when hardened above 45 HRC, and hard chrome, nitriding or PVD (TiN/CrN) are used where extra wear or corrosion life is needed.
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 X20Cr13 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does X20Cr13 cost?
X20Cr13 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.
X20Cr13 — frequently asked
What is X20Cr13 used for?
X20Cr13 is typically used for cutlery, surgical instruments, hydraulic parts and molds. In short: hardenable 13 % Cr stainless; four QT strength tempers; mould and cutlery workhorse.
What is the yield strength of X20Cr13?
X20Cr13 has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 64% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is X20Cr13 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, better than 90% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed or +QT condition with sharp, positive-rake carbide, rigid setups and generous coolant; the alloy work-hardens and forms stringy chips, so finish-machine before hardening and allow ~0.05 % growth on quenching.
Can X20Cr13 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Limited weldability: preheat 200–300 °C, use 13 % Cr or austenitic 309/309L filler, keep interpass heat and temper at 700–750 °C immediately after welding to avoid hard, crack-prone martensite in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on X20Cr13?
Passivate in nitric or citric acid after machining/grinding; the alloy takes a mirror polish best when hardened above 45 HRC, and hard chrome, nitriding or PVD (TiN/CrN) are used where extra wear or corrosion life is needed.
Can X20Cr13 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming only in the +A condition and with generous bend radii (≥2t); hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a full anneal, and never air-cool heavy sections from forging without tempering.
What is the maximum service temperature of X20Cr13?
X20Cr13 is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does X20Cr13 cost?
X20Cr13 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
- EN 10088-3 Stainless steels – Semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire (1.4021) — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-1 Stainless steels – List of stainless steels (physical properties) — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A276/A276M Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (Type 420) — ASTM International (2017)
- GB/T 1220 (2Cr13 / 20Cr13) — SAC (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 – Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- Martensitic stainless 1.4021 / 420 bar and mould-steel datasheets — Outokumpu / Böhler / Sandvik (2022)
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.