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.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵 | JIS | Japan | SUS420J2 | — | REF |
| 🇪🇺 | EN | Europe | X30Cr13 (1.4028) | 1.4028 | 95% |
| 🇨🇳 | GB | China | 3Cr13 | — | 95% |
| 🇺🇸 | AISI | USA | AISI 420 (high C variant) | S42000 | 90% |
Sources: JIS G4303, EN 10088-3, GB/T 1220, ASTM A276
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: SUS420J2 (JIS) (JIS G4303) vs X30Cr13 (1.4028) (EN)
| Element | SUS420J2 (JIS) | X30Cr13 (1.4028) (EN) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.26–0.4% | — | — |
| Si | 0–1% | — | — |
| Mn | 0–1% | — | — |
| P | 0–0.04% | — | — |
| S | 0–0.03% | — | — |
| Cr | 12–14% | — | — |
| Ni | 0–0.6% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
QT
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 620–700 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 340–400 | MPa |
| Elongation | 12–18 | % |
| Hardness HRC | 50–55 | HRC |
| Elastic Modulus | ≥ 200 | GPa |
| Density | ≥ 7.75 | g/cm3 |
Heat treatment
| Process | Temperature | Medium | Holding Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| annealing | 840–900 °C | furnace cool | — | Slow cooling required |
| hardening | 950–1020 °C | oil or air | — | HRC 50-55 |
| tempering | 150–370 °C | air | — | Low temper for max hardness, higher for toughness |
Compatibility verdict
SUS420J2 and X30Cr13 (1.4028): 95% 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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