410 Stainless Steel – The Economical Martensitic Workhorse That Balances Strength, Hardness & Moderate Corrosion
410 Stainless Steel is the entry-level martensitic grade that turns the corrosion resistance of stainless into a hard, wear-resistant engineering material. With 11.5–13.5 % chromium and ≤0.15 % carbon—and zero nickel—UNS S41000 can be heat-treated to 35–45 HRC while still offering fair atmospheric corrosion protection and attractive polishability. Compared with austenitic 304, 410 Stainless Steel delivers roughly twice the yield strength and up to ten times the wear life after quench-and-temper, yet costs 15–20 % less thanks to the absence of nickel. Whether you are stamping surgical scissors, hard-faced valve seats or high-torque pump shafts, 410 Stainless Steel gives engineers an affordable path to hardness, magnetism and moderate corrosion resistance in one straightforward alloy.
Key Features & Benefits – Why 410 Stainless Steel Delivers Hardness Without High-Nickel Cost
Heat-Treatable Hardness & Strength
- Oil quench from 980 °C plus temper at 300 °C achieves 40 HRC and 1 380 MPa tensile—ideal for blades, shafts and wear strips.
- Double-temper option relieves retained austenite, boosting impact toughness 20 % while holding ±1 HRC uniformity across sections up to 75 mm.
Good Ductility in Annealed Condition
- 25 % elongation and 205 MPa yield as-annealed allow moderate cold-heading of fasteners and rivets before final hardening.
Moderate Corrosion Resistance
- 12 % Cr passive film withstands indoor humidity, mild detergents and neutral atmospheric exposure; ASTM B117 salt-spray > 48 h with <5 % rust area.
- Outperforms carbon and alloy steels by an order of magnitude, eliminating plating on many indoor components.
Wear & Abrasion Resistance
- Martensitic matrix plus fine chromium carbides give volumetric wear loss one-third that of annealed 304—perfect for mineral-handling liners and pump impellers.
Machinability & Polishability
- Annealed hardness HRB 85–95 allows high-speed cutting; achieves 0.4 µm Ra mirror finishes for decorative cutlery and surgical instruments.
Magnetic & Non-Galling
- Ferromagnetic structure suits solenoid plungers, separator screens and non-austenitic sensor housings; can be magnetically clamped during machining.
Cost-Effective Upgrade Path
- Nickel-free chemistry tracks chrome price, not volatile nickel; buyers often save USD 200–300 per tonne versus 304 on base-material spend.
Technical Specifications
| Property | Value | Condition / Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.7 g/cm³ | ASTM A276 |
| Melting Point | 1 485 °C | ASTM A479 |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 480 MPa | Annealed (ASTM A370) |
| Tensile Strength | 1 000–1 380 MPa | Hardened & Tempered |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 205 MPa | Annealed |
| Yield Strength | ≥ 800 MPa | Hardened & Tempered |
| Elongation | ≥ 20 % | Annealed |
| Hardness | 85–95 HRB | Annealed |
| Hardness | 35–45 HRC | Quenched & Tempered |
| Magnetic Property | Strongly magnetic | All conditions |
Data comply with UNS S41000, AISI 410, EN 1.4006 and ASTM A276/A479.
Applications & Use Cases – Where 410 Stainless Steel Turns Hardness into Profit
Cutlery & Kitchenware
Blades for chef knives, steak knives and cleavers are blanked from 2.5 mm annealed strip, edge-hardened to 45 HRC and finished with a 15° angle. The 12 % Cr provides stain-free performance while the martensitic core holds a razor edge through repeated sharpening cycles.
Surgical & Dental Instruments
Scissors, forceps and osteotomes utilise quenched 410 Stainless Steel for hardness that meets ASTM F899. Electropolishing removes free iron, achieving Ra ≤ 0.4 µm to reduce bacterial adhesion.
Steam & Gas Turbine Components
Blading, shrouds and spacer rings operate at 400 °C steam; 410 Stainless Steel’s creep strength (110 MPa at 500 °C) and sulfidation resistance outperform 17-4 PH in low-pressure stages while costing 25 % less.
Pump Shafts & Valve Stems
Marine water pumps use 25 mm 410 bar hardened to 38 HRC. Hard chrome plating is eliminated because the passive film resists fresh-water corrosion, cutting finishing cost 30 %.
Petroleum Fractionating Towers
Tray valves, bubble caps and fasteners handle 250 °C hydrocarbon vapours; 410 Stainless Steel resists naphthenic acid better than carbon steel, extending turnaround intervals from 4 to 8 years.
Mining & Earth-Moving Hardware
Conveyor skirt liners and bucket-teeth adapters are through-hardened to 42 HRC, delivering abrasion life three times that of 400 BHN wear plate while resisting rainy-season rust.
Fasteners, Screws & Rivets
Cold-headed cap screws are annealed at 815 °C, machined and then oil-quenched to 35 HRC. Magnetic properties allow pick-and-place assembly without non-ferrous contamination.
Comparison with Other Grades – 410 vs 304, 420, 430, 17-4PH
| Grade | Type | Cr % | Hardness Potential HRC | Corrosion Rating | Relative Cost | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | Austenitic | 18 | 38 (cold-work) | High | Medium | Food tanks |
| 410 | Martensitic | 12 | 45 (heat) | Medium | Low | Blades, shafts |
| 420 | Martensitic | 13 | 55 (heat) | Medium-Low | Medium | Cutlery, molds |
| 430 | Ferritic | 17 | 25 (cold) | Medium | Low | Trim, appliances |
| 17-4PH | Precipitation | 16 | 44 (age) | High | High | Aerospace |
Pros: 410 Stainless Steel delivers the lowest cost route to heat-treatable hardness while maintaining fair corrosion resistance.
Cons: Not suitable for marine immersion or chloride bleach; for such cases upgrade to 17-4PH or duplex grades.
Manufacturing Process & Quality Assurance
We produce 410 Stainless Steel via electric-arc furnace melting, argon-oxygen decarburisation and ladle refining to control sulfur ≤ 0.03 % for improved toughness. Continuous casting into 250 mm billets is followed by hot rolling to bar, plate or strip. Annealing at 815–900 °C produces a ferritic-pearlitic structure ideal for machining. Final hardening involves austenitising at 925–1010 °C, oil or air quenching, and tempering at 150–370 °C to achieve target hardness 35–45 HRC. Finishes include peeled, turned, centreless-ground and polished Ra ≤ 0.4 µm. Every heat is certified to ASTM A276/A479, ISO 9001 and optional API 6A; tests include ICP chemistry, hardness traverse, ASTM A370 tensile, ASTM A262 Practice A intergranular corrosion and ultrasonic bar inspection. Third-party inspection certificates accompany each shipment for direct PPAP submission.
Maintenance & Care Tips
Clean 410 Stainless Steel with mild soap and warm water; rinse and dry to prevent water spots. Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorides—if unavoidable, apply a silicone-free wax or oil film. For blades, regular sharpening at 20–25° angle maintains edge geometry; tempering above 500 °C is not recommended as it drops hardness below 30 HRC. Store parts in a dry, low-humidity environment and separate from carbon steel to prevent galvanic rust staining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can 410 Stainless Steel be hardened?
A: Yes—oil quench from 980 °C plus temper 250–350 °C reaches 35–45 HRC, making it the standard heat-treatable stainless grade.
Q: How does 410 compare to 304 in corrosion resistance?
A: 410 offers fair atmospheric resistance but only half the chloride pitting resistance of 304; use 410 where hardness is critical and environment is mild.
Q: Is 410 Stainless Steel magnetic?
A: Yes—martensitic structure is strongly magnetic in all conditions, ideal for solenoids and magnetic clamping during machining.
Ready to combine hardness, fair corrosion resistance and low alloy cost in one bar or plate? Contact us today for custom quotes on 410 Stainless Steel—mill-direct pricing, global shipping and full metallurgical support included.