What Is 4Cr13 Stainless Steel?
4Cr13 is a martensitic stainless steel, with a good balance of toughness, strength, and corrosion resistance. It is an inexpensive grade of stainless steel, often used in low cost Cutlery, as well as inexpensive kitchen knives and scissors. It includes a small amount of carbon, about 0.4-0.65%. It is used in many things outside Cutlery and kitchen knives, such as medical instruments, marine hardware, fasteners, and industrial parts.
It is one of the most common stainless steels used in China. 4Cr13 has good machinability properties, and can be heat treated to increase hardness. The hardness is thereby increased while its corrosion resistance remains good. It can achieve a hardness of 54-60 HRC on the Rockwell C scale, and a surface hardness of up to 500-600 HV, depending on the hardness.
4Cr13 is also known by a variety of company brands, such as Baoxin, ZDP-189, and XD15NW. It is similar to 420J2 stainless steel, with slightly higher carbon and molybdenum content. Cheaper than high-end stainless steels, such as CPM S30V and CPM 154, 4Cr13 can be used for occasional knives and cheaper kitchen knives, as well as industrial supplies.
4Cr13 is a semi-stainless steel that contains more than 11.5 per cent of chromium and thus provides good corrosion and oxidation resistance. While its mechanical properties are not particularly remarkable, it is relatively soft and can be sharpened easily.
4Cr13 features a corrosion resistance similar to that of type 304 stainless steel, but its properties can be fine-tuned to better suit particular applications. 4Cr13 can be hardened through tempering and remains quite tough at elevated temperatures and after quenching. While it can be used for knives and scissor, the steel type is not the best option for harsh conditions. As it is a softer steel, it will not hold an edge well in heavy-duty applications.
4Cr13 stainless steel is a widely used material that is able to provide good corrosion resistance and adequate strength. While its not as strong as higher end stainless steels such as CPM S30V and CPM154, it still is a good option for anyone looking for an economical, yet good quality stainless steel. Its properties can be tuned for a wide variety of applications, making it a versatile and reliable option for many uses.