what is sus420j2 specification？

what is sus420j2 specification?

SUS420J2 is a Japanese (JIS) martensitic stainless steel, known for its high carbon content (0.26-0.40%), providing excellent hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment, with good corrosion resistance in mild environments, commonly used for knives, tools, valves, and precision parts, and is equivalent to AISI 420.

 

What is the equivalent of 420J2 steel?

420J2 steel (Japanese standard) is a martensitic stainless steel, equivalent to China's 3Cr13, Europe's X30Cr13 (1.4028), and has similar properties to the common 420HC (High Carbon) or AISI 420 (USA), used widely for budget knives, surgical tools, and kitchenware due to good corrosion resistance and machinability.

Standard	420	420J2
UNS	S42000	S42020
EN	1.4021	1.4028
JIS	SUS420	SUS420J2
ASTM	A240	A240

 

What is the difference between 420J2 and 420 stainless steel?
420: High carbon (0.15–0.40%) and chromium (12.0–14.0%) make it super hard. 420J1: Lower carbon (0.06–0.15%) and the same chromium content give it more corrosion resistance and workability. 420J2: A mid-range carbon content (0.15–0.36%) offers a happy medium of hardness and corrosion resistance.

sus420j2 stainless Steel Chemical Composition

Element	Content (%)
Chromium, Cr	14
Nickel, Ni (optional)	1
Manganese, Mn	1
Silicon, Si	1
Phosphorus, P	0.04
Carbon, C	0.15-0.36
Sulfur, S	0.03
Iron, Fe	Balance

 

Mechanical properties of grade SU420J2

Assortment	Yield point or Proof stress (N/mm²)	Tensile strength (N/mm²)	Elongation (%)
Plate/Sheet-Hot-rolled	225	540	18
Bars/Rods	540	740	12

 

What is the hardness of SUS420J2?

SUS420J2 hardness varies significantly with heat treatment, ranging from about 150-200 HV (annealed) to 58-62 HRC (fully hardened), offering a balance of hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance, making it popular for knives and tools, with its higher carbon content providing more hardness than 420J1.

-	Brinell (HBW / HB)	Rockwell C (HRC)	Rockwell B (HRBS / HRB)	Vickers (HV)
SUS420J2 Hot-rolled	235	-	99	247
SUS420J2 Quenched and tempered	-	40	-	-

 

420J2 steel vs 440C
420J2 is a tougher, more corrosion-resistant, and budget-friendly stainless steel with lower hardness, ideal for general tools and diving knives; while 440C is a harder, wear-resistant steel with superior edge retention due to its higher carbon content, making it better for high-performance blades, though it's pricier and less tough than 420J2.

 

420j2 steel vs VG10

420J2 is a budget, low-carbon steel great for corrosion resistance and easy sharpening, used in display or cladding; VG10 is a mid-to-high-end Japanese steel offering far superior hardness (60-62 HRC), edge retention, and toughness due to higher carbon and vanadium, making it excellent for performance knives but slightly more prone to chipping and requiring more care than 420J2.

 

Is SUS420J2 stainless steel suitable for making knives?

Yes, SUS420J2 stainless steel is suitable for knives, especially budget-friendly kitchen or utility knives, because of its excellent corrosion resistance and ease of sharpening, though it's a softer steel that requires frequent sharpening for good edge retention compared to higher-end steels like 440C or VG10. It's a good, low-maintenance option where rust prevention is key.

 

GNEE supplies SUS420J2 stainless steel in forms including sheets, plates, and bars, with a chemical composition of 0.15% C, 12–14% Cr, and 0.5% Mn, offering a hardness up to 500 HV after heat treatment, making it ideal for cutlery, surgical instruments, and wear-resistant components while meeting ASTM, JIS, and GB standards.

Packaging and Shipping
Packaging: Each sheet or coil is wrapped in moisture-proof paper, lined with plastic film, and secured with steel straps. The outer layer is protected by wooden pallets or crates to ensure safety during international transportation.
Labeling: Each package includes the furnace number, grade, dimensions, and standard information.