420 EN 10088-2 4Cr13 Stainless Steel
4Cr13 tool steel delivers reliable wear resistance, good hardenability and moderate corrosion resistance. Featuring excellent polishing property and sharp‑edge retention, it is ideal for surgical & dental instruments, premium cutlery & industrial blades, as well as corrosion‑resistant valve & pump parts.
- Standard: GB 4Cr13, DIN EN 10088-2, AISI 420
- Technique: EAF + LF + VD or ESR, forged, multi-directional forging ratio ≥4, spheroidized annealed
- Shape: Round, Flat, Plates, Blocks
- Heat treatment: Supplied in spheroidized annealed condition, hardness ≤201 HBW; quenched and tempered (QT) to 50–55 HRC available on request for cutlery and wear partst
- Surface Treatment: Turned, milled / ground, sawn ends. Black (hot-rolled / forged surface) available for large sections. Polished finish available for cutlery-grade bars
- Tolerance: flat bars & plates thickness: +0.5/-0.0 mm (turned); forged blocks: ±0.2 mm
- MOQ: 1 Ton
We supply 4Cr13 in various custom sizes
plate
flat
block
round
Chemical Composition (%)
Grade | C | Si | Mn | P (≤) | S (≤) | Cr | Mo | V |
40Cr13 (4Cr13) | 0.36–0.45 | ≤0.60 | ≤0.80 | 0.040 | 0.030 | 12.00–14.00 | — | — |
420 (AISI) | 0.15–0.40 | ≤1.00 | ≤1.00 | 0.040 | 0.030 | 12.00–14.00 | — | — |
1.2083 (X40Cr14) | 0.36–0.42 | ≤1.00 | ≤1.00 | 0.030 | 0.030 | 12.50–14.50 | — | — |
SUS420J2 | 0.26–0.40 | ≤1.00 | ≤1.00 | 0.040 | 0.030 | 12.00–14.00 | — | — |
S136 | 0.38–0.42 | 0.30–0.50 | 0.50–0.80 | 0.030 | 0.030 | 13.50–14.50 | 0.40–0.60 | 0.10–0.30 |
Main characteristics of 4Cr13 tool steel
- Reliable performance - good wear‑resistant after hardening
- High hardenability - achieves high hardness via heat treatment
- Good polishability - delivers mirror‑smooth surface finish
- Moderate corrosion resistance - suitable for mild‑corrosion environments
4Cr13 tool steel applications
4Cr13 steel for Surgical & Dental Instruments
High hardness and excellent corrosion resistance keep 4Cr13 scalpels, forceps, and dental tools sharp, sterile, and durable through repeated autoclaving.
4Cr13 steel for Premium Cutlery & Industrial Blades
Good edge retention and stain resistance make 4Cr13 the standard choice for professional kitchen knives, scissors, and food-processing blades.
4Cr13 steel for Corrosion-Resistant Valve & Pump Parts
Balanced strength and resistance to mild acids and moisture enable reliable, long-lasting valve stems, pump shafts, and fittings in demanding fluid environments.
Our Production Technology For 4Cr13 (GB / AISI 420 / 1.2083) Martensitic Stainless Steel
- EAF
- LF
- VD
- ESR
- Forged or Hot Rolled
- Annealed
- Machined surface / Peeled / Black finish
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Quality Control:
Ultrasonic testing (UT) as per SEP 1921 or ASTM A388 (upon request)
Micro Cleanliness as per ASTM E45 or DIN 50602
Delivery condition: Annealed, hardness 170 – 241 HB
Chemical composition per GB/T 1220
mechanical properties & heat treatment of 4Cr13 steel
| Heat temperature | Start forging temperature | Finish forging temperature | Cooling method |
| 1100 – 1150 °C | 1100 – 1120 °C | ≥ 850 °C | Pit, sand, or furnace cooling |
Annealing
- Heat to 875 – 900°C
- Hold for 1 – 2 hours
- Cool slowly in furnace at 15 – 20°C/h down to below 600°C
- Then air cool to room temperature
- Hardness: 170 – 200 HB
Hardening
- 4Cr13 is a martensitic stainless steel. Proper preheating and austenitizing are critical to achieve the desired hardness without cracking. Quenching must be performed immediately after austenitizing, and tempering must follow promptly to prevent cracking.
- Pre-heating (recommended): Preheat to 650 – 750°C to reduce thermal shock during austenitizing
-
Austenitizing temperature: 1000 – 1050°C.
Alternative range: 1050 – 1100°C.
Preferred range: 1020 – 1050°C - Holding time: After temperature equalization, hold for 30 minutes per 25mm of section thickness (minimum 30 minutes)
-
Quenching media:
Oil (preferred for most sections) — provides good hardness with moderate distortion
Air — for small sections and simple shapes
Water — for maximum hardness (increased distortion and crack risk) - Hardness after quenching: ≥ 50 HRC; typically 50 – 55 HRC
Stress relieving
- Perform after rough machining or heavy stock removal to reduce residual stresses
- Heat carefully to 600 – 650°C
- Hold at temperature for 1 – 2 hours
- Air cool after holding
- This operation reduces the risk of distortion during final hardening
Tempering
- Temper immediately after the workpiece cools to handwarm temperature (approx. 50–70°C). Delayed tempering may cause cracking
- Number of tempers: Minimum 1 time; 2 times recommended for critical components
- Holding time: 1 hour per 20mm of section thickness (minimum 2 hours)
- Cooling method: Air cool or water cool after each tempering cycle
Why Choose NSPM as Your 4Cr13 Tool Steel Supplier
Source Direct
Direct mill cooperation ensures stable supply, competitive pricing, and consistent quality. Global resource integration and strong supply chain management guarantee reliable material sourcing and long-term availability.
Stock Ready
50,000+ tons inventory across 11 warehouses enables fast delivery. Flexible cutting, short lead times, and ready stock support urgent demands and improve customers’ production efficiency.
Expert Team
600+ professionals, including R&D specialists and technical engineers, provide application-driven support. Fast response and deep tooling knowledge ensure accurate solutions for diverse industrial needs.
Fully Inspected
Strict quality control system with full traceability, UT testing, and heat treatment records. Certified standards (ISO, CE) ensure every material meets high-performance and reliability requirements.
Full-Chain Machining
From steel supply to precision machining, heat treatment, and equipment manufacturing, NSPM offers integrated solutions that enhance accuracy, efficiency, and overall tooling performance.
