The Difference Between 420 and 420C Stainless Steel

1. Demand situation ‌
420 stainless steel is widely used in the fields of construction, decoration, machinery manufacturing, etc., especially in the automotive, furniture, kitchenware and other industries, and the demand is rising year by year‌.
420C stainless steel, as an improved version of 420, is also in great demand in certain specific fields such as advanced blades and bearings due to its higher hardness and wear resistance.

2. Chemical composition ‌
420 stainless steel is mainly composed of carbon (C), chromium (Cr) and molybdenum (Mo), with a carbon content of less than 0.5%‌.
420C stainless steel is an improved version of 420, with a higher carbon content than 420, usually between 0.40% and 0.50%‌.

3. Hardness ‌
420 stainless steel, as a martensitic stainless steel, has moderate wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and has a higher hardness, but its price is relatively low among the same type of stainless steel‌.
420C stainless steel (sometimes also referred to as 420HC) is an improved version of 420, with a higher carbon content, so the hardness is relatively high, and it is usually used in situations that require higher hardness and wear resistance.

4. Applications

420 stainless steel is mainly used to make knives, surgical instruments, gears and mechanical parts, etc., with good corrosion resistance, wear resistance and a certain hardness.
420C stainless steel is often used in the manufacture of high-grade blades, bearings, fasteners and other high-wear-resistant parts due to its higher hardness. However, due to its high carbon content, it is difficult to process and shape.

GNEE 420 Product Specifications