420A / X20Cr13
1.4021Medium-carbon martensitic stainless steel. Higher hardness than 410 but lower than 420C (1.4034). Good balance of strength, corrosion resistance and machinability. Used for turbine blades, pump shafts, valves, bolts, surgical instruments, and cutlery.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 | AISI | USA | AISI 420 | S42000 | REF |
| 🇪🇺 | EN | Europe | X20Cr13 | 1.4021 | 100% |
| 🇫🇷 | AFNOR | France | Z20C13 | — | 98% |
| 🇬🇧 | BS | United Kingdom | 420S29 / 420S37 | — | 97% |
| 🇯🇵 | JIS | Japan | SUS420J1 | — | 93% |
Sources: ASTM A276, EN 10088-3, NF EN 10088-3, BS EN 10088-3, JIS G4303
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: 420A / X20Cr13 (EN) (EN 10088-3) vs Z20C13 (AFNOR)
| Element | 420A / X20Cr13 (EN) | Z20C13 (AFNOR) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.16–0.25% | — | — |
| Si | 0–1% | — | — |
| Mn | 0–1.5% | — | — |
| P | 0–0.04% | — | — |
| S | 0–0.03% | — | — |
| Cr | 12–14% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
QT700
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 700–850 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 500 | MPa |
| Elongation | ≥ 13 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | ≥ 215 | GPa |
| Density | ≥ 7.7 | g/cm3 |
Annealed
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness HB | ≤ 230 | HB |
Heat treatment
| Process | Temperature | Medium | Holding Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| quenching | 950–1050 °C | oil | 30-60 min | Air cooling possible for small sections |
| tempering | 650–750 °C | air | min 60 min | QT700 condition. Avoid 450-550°C temper embrittlement range. |
| annealing | 745–825 °C | furnace | 1-2 hours | Air cooling after annealing |
Compatibility verdict
420A / X20Cr13 and Z20C13: 98% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
Related materials
304 Stainless Steel
1.4301The most widely used austenitic stainless steel. Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability. Standard choice for food processing, chemical, and architectural applications.
316L
1.4404Low-carbon austenitic stainless steel with molybdenum addition. Superior corrosion resistance to 304, especially against chlorides and pitting. Standard choice for chemical processing, marine, medical implants, and pharmaceutical equipment.
430 Stainless Steel
1.4016Ferritic chromium stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and formability. Lower cost than austenitic grades. Used for automotive trim, kitchen sinks, architectural panels, and appliance components.
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