440C Stainless Steel
Home / 440C Stainless Steel
Products
Special Steels Division
Wire Division
About 440C Stainless Steel:
440C is a high-carbon, high-chromium stainless steel known for its excellent hardness, wear resistance, and strength. It is part of the 440 family of steels and is particularly well-suited for applications where resistance to wear, corrosion, and high temperatures is required. Commonly used in the manufacturing of cutting tools, bearings, valves, and industrial blades, 440C can be heat-treated to achieve a high level of hardness (up to 58-60 HRC), which makes it one of the hardest stainless steels available. Its properties make it ideal for demanding applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical.
Features:
- High Hardness: Can achieve a hardness of 58-60 HRC after proper heat treatment, making it ideal for applications requiring sharp edges and high wear resistance.
- Excellent Wear Resistance: The high carbon content ensures that the steel has excellent resistance to abrasion and wear, which is critical in applications like ball bearings and cutting tools.
- Corrosion Resistance: It offers moderate corrosion resistance compared to other stainless steels but is less resistant than 300 series steels like 304 and 316. It performs well in mild acidic or alkaline environments.
- Magnetic Properties: Unlike some other stainless steels, 440C is magnetic, which can be important in specific applications that require magnetic materials.
- High Strength and Toughness: It provides a balance of strength and toughness, even at elevated temperatures, and is resistant to fatigue.
- Edge Retention: The high hardness allows for excellent edge retention, making it highly suitable for knives, surgical tools, and industrial blades.
- Heat Resistance: It retains its mechanical properties at higher temperatures and resists oxidation and scaling at elevated temperatures.
Specifications:
440C stainless steel meets various standards and specifications that confirm its suitability for demanding applications, including:
- ASTM A276: Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
- ASTM A484: Standard Specification for General Requirements for Stainless Steel Bars, Billets, and Forgings
- UNS S44004: The Unified Numbering System designation for 440C stainless steel.
- AMS 5619: Aerospace Material Specification for Stainless Steel.
- DIN 1.4125: German standard for 440C stainless steel.
Composition of 440C Stainless Steel:
| Element | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.95 – 1.20 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.00 – 18.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.00% max |
| Silicon (Si) | 1.00% max |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.75% max |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04% max |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.03% max |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.75% max |
Physical Properties:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.75 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1400°C (2552°F) |
| Hardness (Rockwell C) | 58-60 HRC |
| Tensile Strength | 1800 MPa (260,000 psi) |
| Yield Strength | 1400 MPa (203,000 psi) |
| Elongation | 10-15% |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 15.1 W/m·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 11.5 × 10^-6 /°C |