Of all the martensitic stainless steel grades available, 410 stainless steel provides an optimal combination high hardness and strength, excellent wear resistance, and good corrosion resistance, and is widely viewed as a good “general-purpose” alloy.
Being martensitic, 410 stainless steel can be heat treated to increase strength and hardness. Hardening, tempering, and polishing also improves corrosion resistance, enhancing its ability to fight off attack by steam, water, hot gases, and mild acids. However, when corrosion resistance is the top priority, other grades of stainless steel may be better choices.
410 is weldable, providing it’s heated beforehand to prevent cracking and annealed afterwards to lower stresses. Machinability is good in the tempered condition, but becomes more challenging after hardening.
The toughness of 410 stainless steel is lower than that of other stainless steel grades, and it has poor resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking. Additionally, its high temperature strength declines significantly above 400°C (750°F).
The main use cases are those where wear resistance and hardness are priorities, including surgical and dental instruments, household and commercial cutlery, fasteners, and specialized components in steam and gas turbines.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Material Type | Martensitic stainless steel | UNS S41000 |
| Composition | 11.5 - 13.5% chromium, 1% manganese, 1% silicon, 0.5% nickel | |
| Density | 7.8 g/cm3 | 0.282 lb/in3 |
| Melting Point | ~ 1,482 - 1,532 °C | ~ 2,700 - 2,790 °F |
| Hardness (Brinell) | ~ 217 | |
| Tensile Strength | ~ 450 MPa | ~ 65,000 psi |
| Yield Strength | ~ 205 MPa | ~ 30,000 psi |
| Elongation at Break | ~ 20% | |
| Modulus of Elasticity | ~ 200 GPa | ~ 29.01 x 106 psi |
| Corrosion Resistance | Good. Resistant to steam, water, mild acids, and alkalis | Can be improved through hardening, tempering, and polishing |
| Magnetism | Yes | |
| Heat Treatment | Harden through quenching and tempering | |
| Machinability | Good when not fully hardened | |
| Weldability | Yes | Pre-heat and anneal after welding |
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