The 400 series of stainless steels are part of the martensitic and ferritic families, and are known for their high corrosion resistance, elevated temperature strength, and some grades offer attractive magnetic properties.
Here are some of the commonly used 400 series stainless steels:
- Type 410: A basic martensitic grade, which contains a relatively low amount of chromium and provides good corrosion resistance and high strength. It’s often used for cutlery, dental and surgical instruments, nozzles, valve parts, and more.
- Type 420: This is a higher carbon version of type 410, providing increased hardness and strength, while sacrificing some corrosion resistance. It’s commonly used for dental and surgical instruments, cutlery, pump shafts, plastic molds and dies, and more.
- Type 430: This is a basic ferritic grade, with a little less corrosion resistance than type 304 but with much better thermal conductivity and lower thermal expansion. It’s used for automotive trim, kitchen utensils, chimney liners, and more.
- Type 446: It contains more chromium, giving it improved resistance to corrosion and scaling at high temperatures. It’s used for furnace parts, combustion chambers, and other high-temperature applications.