SUS420J2 vs 420C / X46Cr13: Same 420 family — 420C has much higher C for harder blades
SUS420J2 vs 420C / X46Cr13
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
SUS420J2
Japanese martensitic stainless steel — the higher-carbon variant of the 420 family (C 0.26-0.40%). Achieves HRC 50-55 after heat treatment. Very good corrosion resistance for a martensitic grade. THE budget knife/cutlery steel worldwide. Also used for surgical instruments, haircutting scissors, and industrial blades. ≈ EN X30Cr13 (1.4028) / Chinese 3Cr13.
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.
| SUS420J2 | 420C / X46Cr13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | 1.4034 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | JIS G4303 | EN 10088-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | SUS420J2 | 420C / X46Cr13 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.26–0.4% | 0.43–0.5% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–1% | 0–1% | OK |
| Mn | 0–1% | 0–1% | OK |
| P | 0–0.04% | 0–0.04% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | SUS420J2 | 420C / X46Cr13 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 620–700 | — | MPa |
| yield_strength | 340–400 | — | MPa |
| elongation | 12–18 | — | % |
Compatibility Assessment
420C has 0.95-1.20% C vs 0.26-0.40% for 420J2. This gives 420C much higher hardness (56-58 HRC vs 50-55) and better edge retention. 420J2 has better corrosion resistance and is far cheaper. Choose 420J2 for budget cutlery; 420C for premium blades where hardness matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUS420J2 the same as 420C / X46Cr13?
SUS420J2 and 420C / X46Cr13 have a 55% composition overlap. Same 420 family — 420C has much higher C for harder blades
Can I replace SUS420J2 with 420C / X46Cr13?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (55% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between SUS420J2 and 420C / X46Cr13?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Cr. SUS420J2 is a Stainless Steel grade, while 420C / X46Cr13 is a Stainless Steel grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
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