Stainless Steel X46Cr13
EN X46Cr13 · UNS S42000
X46Cr13 is the high-carbon (≈0.46 % C) 13 % Cr martensitic stainless steel (1.4034, 420HC, SUS420J2, S42000), hardened from 1020–1050 °C and tempered at 150–250 °C to reach blade-level hardness.
Reference datasheet — X46Cr13 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
X46Cr13 tempers and conditions
X46Cr13 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ADefault Annealed | Standard stocked delivery condition: softest state for machining, blanking and cold forming before hardening. | 450 | 750 | 18 | 220 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered to 800–950 MPa tensile | EN 10088-3 supply condition for shafts, pump parts and fasteners needing moderate strength plus some ductility. | 650 | 875 | 13 | 26 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar for close tolerance and better surface where parts are used as-supplied or hardened afterwards. | 700 | 880 | 10 | 27 HRC | — |
Hardened and high-temperature tempered | Temper 500–600 °C for higher dimensional stability and warmer service in plastic-mould and valve parts (slight loss of corrosion resistance). | 1,150 | 1,350 | 8 | 43 HRC | — |
Hardened and low-temperature tempered | Austenitize ~1020–1050 °C, oil/air quench, temper 150–250 °C: standard cutlery, scalpel and mould-insert condition. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 3 | 50 HRC | — |
Hardened, sub-zero optional, tempered to maximum hardness | Peak-hardness condition for premium blades, razors and wear inserts where edge retention outranks toughness. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 1.5 | 55 HRC | — |
What is X46Cr13?
X46Cr13 is the high-carbon (≈0.46 % C) 13 % Cr martensitic stainless steel (1.4034, 420HC, SUS420J2, S42000), hardened from 1020–1050 °C and tempered at 150–250 °C to reach blade-level hardness. It is the standard European cutlery grade, supplied as cold-rolled strip and bar in +A, +C, +QT800 and hardened-and-tempered conditions; the default state gives 450 MPa yield, 750 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 220 HB (96 HRB). Weldability is poor (score 25), toughness falls as hardness rises, and service is limited to 400 °C. X20Cr13 (1.4021) is the tougher, more weldable alternative. X46Cr13 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). X46Cr13 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
What is X46Cr13 used for?
- knife blades
- scissors
- razors
- surgical tools
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
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.7 kg CO₂/kg, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 92% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 42/100, worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
X46Cr13 properties
Typical room-temperature values for X46Cr13-+A; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
X46Cr13 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
X46Cr13 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
X46Cr13 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
X46Cr13 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, better than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (42/100), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of X46Cr13 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 3.7 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
X46Cr13's machinability is fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. X46Cr13 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with X46Cr13
Is X46Cr13 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state with sharp, rigid setups, positive-rake carbide and generous coolant; above ~45 HRC switch to grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can X46Cr13 be welded?
Poor weldability — preheat 200–300 °C, use 410/309 or matching filler, and temper immediately after welding to avoid martensitic cracking.
Can X46Cr13 be formed, bent or molded?
Only light cold forming/blanking in the annealed condition; hot work 1100–850 °C then slow cool, and always harden from 1020–1050 °C with a 150–250 °C temper.
X46Cr13 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 1.4034; AISI 420HC typically 0.40–0.50 | 0.43 – 0.5 | 0.46 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sfree-machining variant 1.4035 allows 0.15–0.35 S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Niresidual, not specified in all standards | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on X46Cr13?
Takes a mirror polish when hardened; passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) after machining, and consider PVD/hard-chrome for extra wear or corrosion service.
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 X46Cr13 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does X46Cr13 cost?
X46Cr13 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
X46Cr13 — frequently asked
What is X46Cr13 used for?
X46Cr13 is typically used for knife blades, scissors, razors and surgical tools. In short: standard cutlery blade grade; hardest 13 % Cr stainless; wear over weldability.
What is the yield strength of X46Cr13?
X46Cr13 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is X46Cr13 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, better than 72% of stainless steel grades). Machine in the annealed state with sharp, rigid setups, positive-rake carbide and generous coolant; above ~45 HRC switch to grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can X46Cr13 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor weldability — preheat 200–300 °C, use 410/309 or matching filler, and temper immediately after welding to avoid martensitic cracking.
What surface finishes work on X46Cr13?
Takes a mirror polish when hardened; passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) after machining, and consider PVD/hard-chrome for extra wear or corrosion service.
Can X46Cr13 be formed, bent or molded?
Only light cold forming/blanking in the annealed condition; hot work 1100–850 °C then slow cool, and always harden from 1020–1050 °C with a 150–250 °C temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of X46Cr13?
X46Cr13 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does X46Cr13 cost?
X46Cr13 is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), 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 — CEN (2014)
- EN 10088-1 Stainless steels — list of stainless steels — CEN (2014)
- ASTM A276/A276M Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (Type 420) — ASTM (2017)
- GB/T 1220 (4Cr13) — SAC (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, machinability ratings — Industrial Press (2020)
- 1.4034 / X46Cr13 martensitic stainless data sheets — Deutsche Edelstahlwerke / 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.