Stainless Steel 431 (S43100)
MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEEL
Martensitic, or hardenable stainless steels, are classified in the 400 series, usually with 11.5% chromium up to 18% chromium, with higher levels of carbon than ferritics, and are capable of being heat treated to a wide range of hardness and strength levels. Commercially produced AISI grades of this class are Type 410, 410H, 420, and 420HC. Martensitic stainless steels are used extensively in cutlery, sport knives and multi-purpose tools.
Martensitic stainless steels can be high or low-carbon steels built around the Type 410 composition of iron, 12% chromium, and up to 1.2% carbon. They are usually tempered and hardened. Tempered martensite gives steel good hardness and high toughness; used largely for medical tools (scalpels, razors and internal clamps). Untempered martensite is low in toughness and therefore brittle.
Martensitic stainless steels work in the same way as many low alloy steels. Carbon is the key element. They have a structure similar to the ferritics with a 'body-centred tetragonal' (bct) crystal lattice. Normally, when steels are heated they transform from ferrite to austenite. On slow cooling the steel transforms back to ferrite. However, with fast cooling through quenching in water, oil or sometimes even air, the carbon atoms become trapped in a somewhat distorted atomic matrix. This is known as body-centred tetragonal. The distortion of the atomic matrix leads to the hard martensitic structure. The higher the carbon level the harder is the martensite. In the as-quenched condition, martensitic steels are virtually useless as they have insufficient impact toughness.
Due to the addition of carbon, they can be hardened and strengthened by heat treatment, in a similar way to carbon steels. They are classed as a "hard" ferro-magnetic group. In the annealed condition, they have tensile yield strengths of about 275 MPa and so they are usually machined, cold formed, or cold worked in this condition. The strength obtained by heat treatment depends on the carbon content of the alloy. Increasing the carbon content increases the strength and hardness potential but decreases ductility and toughness. The higher carbon grades are capable of being heat treated to hardnesses of 60 HRC.
Optimum corrosion resistance is attained in the heat-treated i.e. hardened and tempered condition. Martensitic grades have been developed with nitrogen and nickel additions but with lower carbon levels than the traditional grades. These steels have improved toughness, weldability and corrosion resistance.
Martensitic stainless steels, such as types 403, 410, 410NiMo and 420, are similar in composition to the ferrite group, but contain a balance of C and Ni vs. Cr and Mo; hence, austenite at high temperatures transforms to martensite at low temperatures. Like ferrite, they also have a body-centered cubic crystal structure in the hardened condition. The carbon content of these hardenable steels affects forming and welding. To obtain useful properties and prevent cracking, the weldable martensitics usually require preheating and postweld heat treatment.
MAJOR GRADES OF MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEEL:
410- BASIC GRADE
420- HIGHER HARDNESS GRADE
431- HIGHER CORROSION RESISTANT AND TOUGHNESS GRADE
440A/B/C- INCREASING HARDNESS AFTER HEAT TREATMENT
416- WELDING CONSUMABLE GRADES
Martensitic stainless steels were the first stainless steels that were commercially developed (as cutlery) and have a relatively high carbon content (0.1 - 1.2%) compared to other stainless steels. They are plain chromium steels containing between 12 and 18% chromium. They are magnetic and hardenable by quenching and tempering like plain carbon steels and find their main application in cutlery, aerospace and general engineering.
A relatively new group of martensitic stainless steels are the supermartensitic stainless steels. The supermartensitic grades combine high strength and low-temperature toughness with acceptable corrosion resistance in many applications.
Martensitic Stainless Applications
Martensitic stainless steel are typically used for:
Knife blades
Cutlery
Surgical instruments
Fasteners
Shafts
Springs
MARTENSITIC STAINLESS STEELS |
TYPE | Equivalent UNS |
403 | S40300 |
410 | S41000 |
414 | S41400 |
416 | S41600 |
416Se | S41623 |
420 | S42000 |
420F | S42020 |
422 | S42200 |
431 | S43100 |
440A | S44002 |
440B | S44003 |
440C | S44004 |
Chemical composition of stainless steel
Classification | Specification | Chemical Composition | other |
JIS | AISI | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Ni | Cr | Mo | Cu | N | |
Martensitic Grades | SUS403 | 403 | Max.0.15 | Max.0.50 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 11.50~13.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS410 | 410 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 11.50~13.50 | - | - | - | - |
SUS410J1 | - | 0.08~0.18 | Max.0.60 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 11.50~14.00 | 0.30~0.60 | - | - | - |
SUS410F2 | - | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 11.50~13.50 | - | - | - | Pb 0.050.30 |
SUS416 | 416 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.25 | Max.0.060 | Min.0.15 | (1) | 12.00~14.00 | (2) | - | - | - |
SUS420J1 | 420 | 0.16~0.25 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 12.00~14.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS420J2 | 420 | 0.26~0.40 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 12.00~14.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS420F | 420F | 0.26~0.40 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.25 | Max.0.060 | Min.0.15 | (1) | 12.00~14.00 | (2) | - | - | - |
SUS420F2 | - | 0.26~0.40 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 12.00~14.00 | - | - | - | Pb 0.05~0.30 |
SUS431 | 431 | Max.0.20 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | 1.25~2.50 | 15.00~17.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS440A | 440A | 0.60~0.75 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 16.00~18.00 | (3) | - | - | - |
SUS440B | 440B | 0.75~0.95 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 16.00~18.00 | (3) | - | - | - |
SUS440C | 440C | 0.95~1.20 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | (1) | 16.00~18.00 | (3) | - | - | - |
SUS440F | S44020 | 0.95~1.20 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.25 | Max.0.060 | Min.0.15 | (1) | 16.00~18.00 | (3) | - | - | - |
Ferritic Grades | SUS405 | 405 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | - | 11.50~14.50 | - | - | - | Al 0.10~0.30 |
SUS410L | - | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | - | 11.00~13.50 | - | - | - | - |
SUS430 | 430 | Max.0.12 | Max.0.75 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | - | 16.00~18.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS430F | 430F | Max.0.12 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.25 | Max.0.060 | Min.0.15 | - | 16.00~18.00 | (2) | - | - | - |
SUS434 | 434 | Max.0.12 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | - | 16.00~18.00 | 0.75~1.25 | - | - | - |
SUS447J1 | - | Max.0.01 | Max.0.40 | Max.0.40 | Max.0.030 | Max.0.020 | - | 28.50~32.00 | 1.50~2.50 | - | Max.0.015 | - |
SUSXM27 | - | Max.0.01 | Max.0.40 | Max.0.40 | Max.0.030 | Max.0.020 | - | 25.00~27.50 | 0.75~1.50 | - | Max.0.015 | - |
Austenitic Ferritic Grades | SUS329J1 | 329 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.50 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | 3.00~6.00 | 23.00~28.00 | 1.00~3.00 | - | - | - |
SUS329J3L | S31803 | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | 4.50~6.50 | 21.00~24.00 | 2.50~3.50 | - | 0.08~0.20 | - |
SUS329J4L | S31260 | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.50 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | 5.50~7.50 | 24.00~26.00 | 2.50~3.50 | - | 0.08~0.30 | - |
Austenitic Grades | SUS201 | 201 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | 5.50~7.50 | Max.0.060 | Max.0.030 | 3.50~5.50 | 16.00~18.00 | - | - | 0.25?? | - |
SUS202 | 202 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | 7.50~10.00 | Max.0.060 | Max.0.030 | 4.00~6.00 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | Max.0.25 | - |
SUS301 | 301 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 6.00~8.00 | 16.00~18.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS302 | 302 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 8.00~10.00 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS303 | 303 | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.200 | Min.0.15 | 8.00~10.00 | 17.00~19.00 | (2) | - | - | - |
SUS303Se | 303Se | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.200 | Max.0.060 | 8.00~10.00 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | - | Se Min.0.15 |
SUS303Cu | - | Max.0.15 | Max.1.00 | Max.3.00 | Max.0.200 | Min.0.15 | 8.00~10.00 | 17.00~19.00 | (2) | 1.50~3.50 | - | - |
SUS304 | 304 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 8.00~10.50 | 18.00~20.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS304L | 304L | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 9.00~13.00 | 18.00~20.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS304N1 | 304N | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.50 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 7.00~10.50 | 18.00~20.00 | - | - | 0.10~0.25 | - |
SUS304N2 | - | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.50 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 7.50~10.50 | 18.00~20.00 | - | - | 0.15~0.30 | Nb Max.0.15 |
SUS304LN | 304LN | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 8.50~11.50 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | 0.12~0.22 | - |
SUS304J3 | - | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 8.00~10.50 | 17.00~19.00 | - | 1.00~3.00 | - | - |
SUS305 | 305 | Max.0.12 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 10.50~13.00 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS309S | 309S | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 12.00~15.00 | 22.00~24.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS310S | 310S | Max.0.08 | Max.1.50 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 19.00~22.00 | 24.00~26.00 | - | - | - | - |
SUS316 | 316 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 10.00~14.00 | 16.00~18.00 | 2.00~3.00 | - | - | - |
SUS316L | 316L | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 12.00~15.00 | 16.00~18.00 | 2.00~3.00 | - | - | - |
SUS316N | 316N | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 10.00~14.00 | 16.00~18.00 | 2.00~3.00 | - | 0.10~0.22 | - |
SUS316LN | 316LN | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 10.50~14.50 | 16.50~18.50 | 2.00~3.00 | - | 0.12~0.22 | - |
SUS316Ti | - | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 10.00~14.00 | 16.00~18.00 | 2.00~3.00 | - | - | Ti Min.5xC% |
SUS316J1 | - | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 10.00~14.00 | 17.00~19.00 | 1.20~2.75 | 1.00~2.50 | - | - |
SUS316J1L | - | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 12.00~16.00 | 17.00~19.00 | 1.20~2.75 | 1.00~2.50 | - | - |
SUS316F | - | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Min.0.10 | 10.00~14.00 | 16.00~18.00 | 2.00~3.00 | - | - | - |
SUS317 | 317 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 11.00~15.00 | 18.00~20.00 | 3.00~4.00 | - | - | - |
SUS317L | 317L | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 11.00~15.00 | 18.00~20.00 | 3.00~4.00 | - | - | - |
SUS317LN | - | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 11.00~15.00 | 18.00~20.00 | 3.00~4.00 | - | 0.10~0.22 | - |
SUS317J1 | - | Max.0.04 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.50 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 15.00~17.00 | 16.00~19.00 | 4.00~6.00 | - | - | - |
SUS836L | - | Max.0.03 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 24.00~26.00 | 19.00~24.00 | 5.00~7.00 | - | Max.0.25 | - |
SUS890L | - | Max.0.02 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 23.00~28.00 | 19.00~23.00 | 4.00~5.00 | 1.00~2.00 | - | - |
SUS321 | 321 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 9.00~13.00 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | - | Ti Min.5xC% |
SUS347 | 347 | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 9.00~13.00 | 17.00~19.00 | - | - | - | Nb Min.10xC% |
SUSXM7 | 304Cu | Max.0.08 | Max.1.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 8.50~10.50 | 17.00~19.00 | - | 3.00~4.00 | - | - |
SUSXM15J1 | - | Max.0.08 | 3.00~5.00 | Max.2.00 | Max.0.045 | Max.0.030 | 11.50~15.00 | 15.00~20.00 | - | - | - | - |
Precipitation Hardening Grades | SUS630 | S17400 | Max.0.07 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | 3.00~5.00 | 15.00~17.50 | - | 3.00~5.00 | - | Nb 0.15~0.45 |
SUS631 | S17700 | Max.0.09 | Max.1.00 | Max.1.00 | Max.0.040 | Max.0.030 | 6.50~7.75 | 16.00~18.00 | - | - | - | Al 0.75~1.50 |
* SUS329J1 denotes austenitic and ferritic stainless steel. | Note: (1) May contain at most 0.6% Ni. (2) May have at most 0.6% Mo added. (3) May have at most 0.75% Mo added. | Remarks: 1) Ferritic SUS447J1 and SUSXM27 may contain at most 0.60% Ni. SUS447J1 and SUSXM27 may contain at most 0.50% Ni, 0.20% Cu, and 0.50% Ni + Cu; and any alloy element other than listed can be added if required. 2) With SUSXM15J1 any alloy element other than listed can be added if required. |