Stainless Steel X46Cr13 H+T550
Hardness band
EN X46Cr13 · UNS S42000
H+T550 = 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).
Values for the H+T550 condition
Other X46Cr13 tempers and conditions
X46Cr13 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at X46Cr13.
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 | — |
H+T550This page 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 H+T550?
X46Cr13 H+T550 is X46Cr13 heat treated to H+T550 — temper 500–600 °C for higher dimensional stability and warmer service in plastic-mould and valve parts (slight loss of corrosion resistance). X46Cr13 H+T550 has a yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). X46Cr13 H+T550 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). +A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H+T550 is available on request or by drawing note.
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
- High strength — 1,150 MPa (167 ksi), better than 98% 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
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 92% of stainless steel grades
X46Cr13 H+T550 properties
Typical room-temperature values for X46Cr13 H+T550; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are X46Cr13 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
X46Cr13 H+T550 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 H+T550 has a yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
X46Cr13 H+T550 is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °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 H+T550 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 X46Cr13 H+T550 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 H+T550's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with X46Cr13 H+T550
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.
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.
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 | — |
X46Cr13 H+T550 — frequently asked
What is X46Cr13 H+T550 used for?
X46Cr13 H+T550 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 H+T550?
X46Cr13 H+T550 has a typical yield strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is X46Cr13 H+T550 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% 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 H+T550 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 H+T550?
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 H+T550 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 H+T550?
X46Cr13 H+T550 is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.