Stainless Steel 420 is a high-carbon martensitic type that is used for parts that must be heat treated to achieve high hardness, high strength, and high wear resistance. It is at least 12% chromium, and offers good protection against corrosion in atmospheric, domestic, and mildly industrial application environments. The hardness that can be obtained on SS 420 is about 50 HRC, which provides greater resistance to abrasion and higher strength than SS 410. The mechanical strength and machinability allows its use in pump shafts, hydraulic parts, surgical tools, plastic mould tooling, mechanical parts and wear-resistant equipment. Amardeep Steel is a trusted Stainless Steel 420 tube manufacturer and supplier in India, providing quality products for demanding industrial applications.
Technical Data
Specifications of Stainless Steel 420 Tubes
| Standard / Specification | Technical Details |
|---|---|
| Material Grade | Stainless Steel 420 / UNS S 42000 / Werkstoff Nr. 1.4021 / 1.4028 |
| Tubing Specification | ASTM A268 / ASME SA268 (Seamless and Welded Ferritic and Martensitic Stainless Steel Tubing for General Service) |
| TP Designation | TP420 / TP 420 |
| Manufacturing Types | Seamless (Cold Drawn / Cold Rolled), Welded (ERW / EFW) |
| Size / OD Range | 6.0 – 114.3 mm (1/4" – 4") |
| Wall Thickness | 0.5 – 12.0 mm |
| Length | Single Random, Double Random, or Cut-to-Length |
| End Finish | Plain End (PE) / Bevelled End (BE) |
| Surface Finish | Annealed & Pickled, Bright Annealed (BA), Polished (Grit 180 / 240 / 320 / 400) |
| Testing & Inspection | Hydrostatic Test, Eddy Current Test, Ultrasonic NDT, Hardness Testing, PMI |
| Certification | Mill Test Certificate (MTC) to EN 10204 3.1 / ISO 10474 |
Chemical Compositions of Stainless Steel 420 Tubes
| Element | Carbon (C) | Chromium (Cr) | Manganese (Mn) | Silicon (Si) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) | Iron (Fe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Wt % | 0.15 | 12.00 | — | — | — | — | Balance |
| Max Wt % | 0.25 | 14.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0.040 | 0.030 | Balance |
Stainless Steel 420 Tubes Mechanical Properties
| Property Parameter | Annealed State (Delivery Condition) | Hardened & Tempered Condition (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm, min) | 655 MPa (95 ksi) | 1400 – 1700 MPa (200 – 245 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset, Rp0.2, min) | 345 MPa (50 ksi) | 1100 – 1350 MPa (160 – 195 ksi) |
| Elongation (A5, min) | 20% | 8 – 12% |
| Hardness (Rockwell C) | ≤ 96 HRB — Hardness (H&T) | 48–52 HRC | 48 – 52 HRC |
| Hardness (Vickers / HV) | ≤ 230 HV | 480 – 540 HV |
| Hardness (Knoop / HK) | ≤ 240 HK | 500 – 560 HK |
Physical Properties of Stainless Steel 420 Tubes
| Physical Property | Value / Unit |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.75 g/cm³ (0.280 lb/in³) |
| Modulus of Elasticity (E) | 200 GPa (29.0 × 10⁶ psi) |
| Thermal Conductivity | 24.9 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 460 J/kg·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.55 Ω⋅mm 2 /m |
| Melting Range | 1450 – 1510 °C |
| Magnetic Behavior | Magnetic in both annealed and hardened conditions |
Equivalent Grades of Stainless Steel 420 Tubes
| Standard System | Grade Designation | Comparison vs. Type 410 / Type 430 |
|---|---|---|
| UNS Designation | UNS S42000 | Higher carbon than 410; significantly harder after heat treatment. |
| Werkstoff Nr. (WNR) | 1.4021 / 1.4028 | European standard high-carbon martensitic equivalent. |
| EN Designation | X20Cr13 / X30Cr13 | Matches 12–14% Chromium with high response to quenching. |
| AFNOR / BS | Z20C13 / 420S37 | Standard British & French surgical/mechanical tubing steel. |
| JIS Standard | SUS 420J1 / SUS 420J2 | Japanese equivalent for mechanical parts and cutlery tubing. |
Applications and Industrial Uses of Stainless Steel 420 Tubes
- Medical & Surgical Industry
- Oil & Gas Industry
- Chemical Processing Industry
- Automotive Industry
- Hydraulic & Pneumatic Industry
- Pump & Valve Manufacturing
- Plastic & Injection Moulding Industry
- General Engineering Industry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Stainless Steel 420 and Stainless Steel 410 tubes?
SS 420 contains higher carbon content than SS 410. This allows SS 420 tubes to achieve significantly higher hardness (up to 52 HRC compared to 35–40 HRC for 410) and superior wear resistance after heat treatment.
Can Stainless Steel 420 tubes be welded?
Yes, but with strict preheating and post-weld heat treatment. Because SS 420 is an air-hardening martensitic grade, welding without a 150–200°C preheat and immediate stress-relieving annealing risks weld cracking.
Is SS 420 tube magnetic?
Yes, SS 420 is a martensitic stainless steel and remains magnetic in both the annealed and hardened/tempered conditions.
What standard governs SS 420 seamless and welded tubing?
ASTM A268 / ASME SA268 (Grade TP420) is the standard specification covering seamless and welded martensitic stainless steel tubing for general service.
What products in the 400-series family are available at Amardeep Steel?
We supply a complete 400-series tubing line, including Stainless Steel 420 Tubes, Stainless Steel 409 Tubes, Stainless Steel 410 Tubes, and Stainless Steel 430 Tubes.
