Chemical Composition of SS42034 Y3Cr13 Martensitic Stainless Steel
SS42034 Y3Cr13 martensitic stainless steel is a high-performance stainless steel characterized by high strength and hardness, good corrosion resistance, impact toughness and wear resistance, and a wide range of mechanical properties. This grade of stainless steel can be found in numerous applications requiring a strong stainless steel with good machinability and ductility, such as chemical processing, food and beverage processing, medical instruments, automotive parts and many more.
This grade of stainless steel is an austenitic-ferritic iron-chromium stainless steel with a composition of about 0.4-0.5% carbon, 12-14% chromium, 0.1-0.2% manganese, 0.2-0.4% silicon, 0.8-1.2% nickel, and 0.04-0.1% molybdenum. The addition of molybdenum increases the corrosion resistance of the SS42034 Y3Cr13 over the standard non-molybdenum austenitic stainless steel grades. Ideally, the grade should be annealed at 1060-1140°C while its ultimate tensile strength should be 500–700 Mpa. The hardness value of this grade should reach that of HRC28–32 according to the Rockwell C scale.
The corrosion resistance of SS42034 Y3Cr13 is good in both dry and slightly corrosive environments. In acidic solutions like potable water, this grade manages to be resistant to mild acids and oxidizing agents, as well as general chloride-contaminated atmospheres. In order to ensure that the grade is resistant to certain extreme climates, it is also recommended to use a low carbon version of it.
The SS42034 Y3Cr13’s machinability is moderate and it is very satisfying when it comes to grinding, filing and polishing. Its magnetic properties are reduced due to the molybdenum content, but the grade gets slightly magnetized after welding. This grade is also highly weldable, mostly as a result of its low carbon content. Special consideration should be taken before welding SS42034 Y3Cr13 since special techniques, such as preheat, post weld heat treatment and stress relieving, are often required.
To conclude, SS42034 Y3Cr13 is a high-quality martensitic stainless steel, with a desirable combination of corrosion resistance, strength and toughness, an excellent machinability, a lack of magnetism and a suitable weldability. The grade has a wide range of mechanical properties, which makes it suitable for a variety of applications where a strong, corrosion resistant and easily machined stainless steel is needed.
