410 steel (S41000): properties, composition, equivalents
410 stainless steel (UNS S41000, EN 1.4006): 11.5–13.5 % Cr martensitic, hardenable to 35–45 HRC. Annealed 205 MPa yield / 450 MPa tensile; hardened & tempered to 1100+ MPa. Composition, heat treatment, 410 vs 420 vs 430, 1.4006/SUS410 equivalents.
What is 410?
Type 410 is the basic martensitic stainless steel: 12 % chromium with about 0.1 % carbon, which is just enough to transform to martensite on quenching and reach 38–45 HRC. It is the cheapest stainless that can be heat-treated to high strength, so it is the material of pump shafts, valve trim and seats, steam-turbine blades, fasteners, cutlery blanks, mining screens and press-plate — anywhere hardness or 800–1200 MPa strength matters more than corrosion resistance. UNS S41000; EN 1.4006 (X12Cr13).
Its corrosion resistance is the lowest of the common stainless grades (PREN ≈ 12), adequate for fresh water, steam, mild chemicals, petroleum and food oils but not for chlorides or acids; and it must be used in the hardened-and-tempered condition, because annealed 410 corrodes faster and tempering at 400–550 °C embrittles it. Properly heat-treated 410 is magnetic and tough enough for shafts down to about −20 °C.
The family runs 410S (low carbon, non-hardening, for welded plate) → 410 → 416 (free-machining) → 420 (higher carbon, 50+ HRC) → 440 (very high carbon, 58 HRC). JIS SUS410, GB 12Cr13 and GOST 12Kh13 are the same grade.
410 chemical composition
| Element | Mass % | Note |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.15 | 410S (S41008): ≤ 0.08 (non-hardening); 420: ≥ 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Si | ≤ 1 | |
| Cr | 11.5 – 13.5 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.75 |
ASTM A276/A276M-23 (S41000). EN 1.4006 (X12Cr13): C 0.08–0.15, Cr 11.5–13.5, Ni ≤ 0.75 — EN specifies a minimum carbon so the grade always hardens. Typical mill: C 0.10–0.13, Cr 12.0–12.5.
410 mechanical properties
| Thickness / condition | Yield strength ReH / Rp0.2 MPa (ksi) | Tensile strength Rm MPa (ksi) | Elongation A % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar — annealed (A276 condition A) | ≥ 275 (≥ 39.9) | ≥ 485 (≥ 70.3) | 20 | ≤ 223 HB |
| Plate/sheet — annealed (A240) | ≥ 205 (≥ 29.7) | ≥ 450 (≥ 65.3) | 20 | ≤ 217 HB / ≤ 96 HRB |
| Bar — hardened & tempered (A276 condition T) | ≥ 585 (≥ 84.8) | ≥ 760 (≥ 110.2) | 15 | ≈ 240–280 HB (≤ 26 HRC) |
| Bar — hardened & tempered (A276 condition H) | ≥ 1000 (≥ 145.0) | ≥ 1210 (≥ 175.5) | 12 | ≈ 38–42 HRC |
| EN 1.4006 +QT650 (for comparison) | ≥ 450 (≥ 65.3) | 650–850 (94.3–123.3) | 15 | ≈ 200–250 HB |
| EN 1.4006 +QT800 | ≥ 600 (≥ 87.0) | 800–1000 (116.0–145.0) | 12 | ≈ 250–300 HB |
| As-quenched (typical) | — | — | — | 38–45 HRC |
ASTM A276 Table 2 conditions A, T (tempered ≥ 565 °C) and H (tempered ≥ 205 °C); EN 10088-3 +QT classes. Impact ≥ 27 J at +20 °C in condition T typical; poor below −10 °C.
Impact toughness
410 requires a minimum Charpy V-notch energy of 27 J at 20 °C (typical, tempered ≥ 565 °C). Martensitic — sharp transition; avoid tempering at 400–550 °C (temper embrittlement) and do not use below about −20 °C.
410 equivalent grades
| Grade | System | Match | Why / differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| 410S21 | BS (superseded British) | Identical | BS 970 410S21: C 0.09–0.15, Cr 11.5–13.5. |
| 1.4006 | EN (European) | Identical | X12Cr13: C 0.08–0.15, Cr 11.5–13.5 — same steel with a carbon minimum; dual-certified. |
| 12Cr13 | GB/T (China) | Identical | GB/T 20878 12Cr13 (formerly 1Cr13). |
| 12Kh13 | GOST (Russia/CIS) | Identical | GOST 5632 12Kh13: C 0.09–0.15, Cr 12–14. |
| SUS410 | JIS (Japan) | Identical | JIS G4303 SUS410: C ≤ 0.15, Cr 11.5–13.5. |
| 420 | AISI / SAE | Near | S42000 / 1.4021: C ≥ 0.15 (typically 0.20–0.40) → 48–55 HRC; the cutlery and mould grade. |
| 416 | AISI / SAE | Near | S41600 / 1.4005: free-machining 410 with 0.15 % S min. |
| 410S | AISI / SAE | Near | S41008 / 1.4000: C ≤ 0.08, does not harden on welding — for annealed plate and clad. |
| 430 | AISI / SAE | Functional | Ferritic 17 % Cr: better corrosion resistance, not hardenable. |
| 17-4 PH | AISI / SAE | Functional | Conventional martensitic 12 % Cr: cheaper, lower strength (≤ 1200 MPa), poorer corrosion resistance, needs quench hardening. |
Identical = same composition and mechanical limits within rounding. Near = one limit differs (e.g. carbon max or impact temperature). Functional = interchangeable for most uses after an engineering check. Full cross-reference for 410 →
Old and superseded designations
| Old name | Standard | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4006 / X12Cr13 | EN 10088 | Older DIN name X10Cr13. |
| S41000 | UNS | 410S (S41008) low-carbon non-hardening; 416 (S41600) free-machining; 420 (S42000) higher carbon. |
| 410S21 | BS 970 | |
| CA-15 | ACI / ASTM A217 | Cast equivalent (valve bodies). |
| F6a | ASTM A182 | Forging grade 410 (classes 1–4 by strength). |
Product forms and tolerance standards
Product forms: bar, rod and forgings (ASTM A276, A479, A182 F6a), sheet, strip and plate (A240 — limited), seamless tube (A268 TP410), wire (A580), fasteners (F593 Group 5 / A193 B6), castings CA-15 (A217, A743).
Dimensional tolerances: bar: ASTM A484; sheet/plate: ASTM A480; forgings: ASTM A182.
Key property values
410 stainless steel yield strength
Annealed bar ≥ 275 MPa (40 ksi), plate ≥ 205 MPa. Hardened and tempered: condition T ≥ 585 MPa (85 ksi), condition H ≥ 1000 MPa (145 ksi); typical +QT at 600 °C ≈ 700–800 MPa.
410 tensile strength
Annealed ≥ 485 MPa (70 ksi) bar / ≥ 450 MPa plate; tempered ≥ 760 MPa (T) to ≥ 1210 MPa (H); as-quenched ≈ 1300–1500 MPa.
410 hardness
Annealed max 223 HB; as-quenched 38–45 HRC (depending on carbon); tempered 650–700 °C ≈ 20–25 HRC; tempered 200–300 °C ≈ 38–42 HRC. NACE MR0175 sour service: ≤ 22 HRC, double tempered.
Corrosion resistance
PREN ≈ 12. Resists atmospheric exposure (indoor, rural), fresh water, steam, mild organic acids, petroleum products and food oils when hardened and polished. Pits in chlorides; poor in sulphuric, hydrochloric and most reducing acids.
Heat treatment
Anneal 815–900 °C, slow cool (≤ 25 K/h to 600 °C) → ≤ 223 HB. Harden 925–1010 °C (1700–1850 °F), oil or air quench. Temper: 205–370 °C for max hardness/strength (38–42 HRC) or 565–650 °C for toughness and corrosion resistance (20–28 HRC). Avoid 400–550 °C (temper embrittlement and loss of corrosion resistance). Ms ≈ 350 °C; sections to ~200 mm harden in air.
Physical properties
Density 7.7 g/cm³, E = 200 GPa, expansion 9.9 × 10⁻⁶/K (0–100 °C), conductivity 24.9 W/m·K, resistivity 0.57 µΩ·m, ferromagnetic. Scaling limit ≈ 700 °C; creep use to ~480 °C (turbine blades).
Weldability
Weldable with precautions: air-hardening HAZ reaches 40+ HRC and cracks without preheat. Preheat 200–300 °C, interpass ≤ 300 °C, low-hydrogen process, then post-weld anneal or temper at 650–760 °C. Filler ER410 (matching, then heat-treat) or ER309L/E309L (austenitic, no PWHT but soft weld). 410S is preferred for welded plate; 410NiMo (S41500 / 1.4313) for welded pump and turbine parts.
Machining, forming and heat treatment
Machinability ≈ 55 % of B1112 annealed (best of the stainless families); machine in the annealed or ≤ 30 HRC tempered condition, then harden; 416 at ≈ 85 % for high-volume turning. Cold forming and bending are fair in the annealed condition (bend radius ≥ 1 t); deep drawing limited. Grinds and polishes well; hard-chrome and nitriding (≈ 1000 HV, for pump sleeves) are common surface treatments.
Typical applications
- Pump shafts, sleeves and impellers (fresh water, oil)
- Valve trim, stems, seats and discs (API 600 trim no. 1, 'F6')
- Steam- and gas-turbine blades and buckets (to ~480 °C)
- Fasteners, studs and bolts (A193 B6), screws for mild exposure
- Cutlery and kitchen-knife blanks (as 410/420), scissors
- Mining, coal and mineral screens, sizing plates
- Press plates, chutes, wear liners; bakery ovens and hardware
- Oilfield: wellhead components, downhole tools (NACE-limited hardness)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 410 and 420 stainless?
Carbon. 410 has ≤ 0.15 % C and hardens to 38–45 HRC; 420 has ≥ 0.15 % (typically 0.2–0.4 %) and reaches 48–55 HRC. 410 is tougher and slightly more corrosion-resistant; 420 is harder — the cutlery, surgical-instrument and plastic-mould grade.
Is 410 stainless steel magnetic?
Yes, in every condition — martensitic and ferritic stainless steels are ferromagnetic.
Can 410 be hardened?
Yes: heat to 925–1010 °C, quench in oil or air, temper at 205–370 °C (max hardness ≈ 40 HRC) or 565–650 °C (toughness, ≈ 25 HRC). Never temper between 400 and 550 °C.
Does 410 stainless rust?
More readily than 304: it resists indoor air, fresh water and steam but stains and pits with chlorides, coastal air or acids. Keep it hardened, tempered and polished; annealed or wrongly tempered 410 corrodes fastest.
What is 410 equivalent to in EN?
EN 1.4006 (X12Cr13). The EN grade adds a carbon minimum of 0.08 % so it always hardens; ASTM 410 has no minimum, and very-low-carbon heats behave like 410S.
Can 410 be welded?
With 200–300 °C preheat and post-weld tempering, yes; without them the hard HAZ cracks. For welded fabrications choose 410S (non-hardening) or 410NiMo.
Related grades
Verified against ASTM A276/A276M-23; ASTM A276/A276M-23 Table 2; ASTM A240/A240M-22; EN 10088-3:2014 (1.4006 comparison). Last checked: September 2026.