# Stainless Steel 420

> The cutlery stainless: hardens to ~50 HRC while keeping useful corrosion resistance.

- Category: Stainless Steels → martensitic
- HTML page: https://fabvector.com/materials/stainless-steel-420 (Portuguese: https://fabvector.com/pt/materials/stainless-steel-420)
- Price index: $$$ (1–5, 6061-T6 = $)

## Mechanical properties (typical values, not certified minimums)

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | — (specified by hardness; ~655 MPa annealed) |
| Yield strength | — (annealed ~345 MPa) |
| Hardness | ~50 HRC (hardened) |
| Density | 7.74 g/cm³ |
| Machinability | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
| Corrosion resistance | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |

## When to choose it

Choose 420 when a part needs a hardened cutting edge or wear surface plus moderate corrosion resistance — mold cores, blades, valve internals. Machine annealed, then harden and grind.

## When to look elsewhere

Corrosion resistance trails 304 — not for marine or chemical service. If you need higher hardness and wear life, step up to 440C; if you need weldability, martensitic grades are the wrong family.

## Typical applications

- Industrial knives and blades
- Plastic injection mold cores
- Valve seats and trim
- Surgical and dental instruments

## Compatible surface finishes

- [As-Machined](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/as-machined)
- [Passivation](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/passivation)
- [Electropolishing](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/electropolishing)
- [Bead Blasting](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/bead-blasting)
- [Brushed Finish](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/brushed-finish)
- [Polishing](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/polishing)
- [Vibratory Tumbling](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/vibratory-tumbling)
- [Laser Marking](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/laser-marking)
- [PTFE Coating (Teflon)](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/ptfe-coating)

Industries: medical-devices, industrial-automation, automotive · Instant quote: https://fabvector.com/quote