304 Stainless Steel vs 420C / X46Cr13: 52% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
304 Stainless Steel vs 420C / X46Cr13
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
304 Stainless Steel
1.4301
The most widely used austenitic stainless steel. Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability. Standard choice for food processing, chemical, and architectural applications.
420C / X46Cr13
1.4034
High-carbon martensitic stainless steel. Higher hardness than 410 (up to 56 HRC). The standard knife steel for European cutlery. Used for kitchen knives, pocket knives, surgical scalpels, machine blades, roller bearings, and valve components. Not weldable.
| 304 Stainless Steel | 420C / X46Cr13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.4301 | 1.4034 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | EN 10088-2 | EN 10088-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 304 Stainless Steel | 420C / X46Cr13 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.07% | 0.43–0.5% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–1% | 0–1% | OK |
| Mn | 0–2% | 0–1% | OK |
| P | 0–0.045% | 0–0.04% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 304 Stainless Steel | 420C / X46Cr13 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 520–720 | — | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 210 | — | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 45 | — | % |
Compatibility Assessment
304 Stainless Steel and 420C / X46Cr13 have moderate differences (52% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 304 Stainless Steel the same as 420C / X46Cr13?
304 Stainless Steel and 420C / X46Cr13 have a 52% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 304 Stainless Steel with 420C / X46Cr13?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (52% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 304 Stainless Steel and 420C / X46Cr13?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Cr. 304 Stainless Steel is a Stainless Steel grade, while 420C / X46Cr13 is a Stainless Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.