# 420 stainless steel equivalents

420 stainless steel is nearest to EN 1.4021 (X20Cr13), JIS SUS420J1 and China GB 20Cr13. These are nearest equivalents, not identical grades: the governing standard or mill certificate decides.

| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI / ASTM / SAE | 420 |
| EN steel name | X20Cr13 |
| EN steel number | 1.4021 |
| JIS | SUS420J1 |
| China GB | 20Cr13 |

Family: Martensitic stainless

## What it is

A martensitic stainless steel with more carbon than 410, so it reaches a higher hardness after heat treatment. Corrosion resistance is best in the hardened and polished condition.

## Typical uses

Cutlery and knife blades, surgical and dental instruments, plastic mould tooling, valve and pump parts.

## Machining notes

Machine in the annealed condition. After hardening, finish by grinding. SUS420J1 is one of several JIS variants of 420.

## Related grades

- 410 stainless steel (1.4006): Lower-carbon martensitic grade
- 440C stainless steel (1.4125): Highest-hardness martensitic grade

Equivalents are nearest matches, not identical grades. The governing standard or mill certificate decides.

## FAQ

**What is the European equivalent of 420 stainless steel?**
The nearest EN grade is 1.4021, steel name X20Cr13.

**What is the JIS equivalent of 420 stainless steel?**
The nearest Japanese grade is SUS420J1.

**What is the Chinese GB equivalent of 420 stainless steel?**
The nearest Chinese GB grade is 20Cr13.

**Is 1.4021 the same as 420?**
1.4021 (X20Cr13) is the nearest European equivalent of 420, not an identical grade. Composition limits and required properties differ in detail, so check the governing standard or the mill certificate when it matters.

**What is 420 used for?**
Cutlery and knife blades, surgical and dental instruments, plastic mould tooling, valve and pump parts.

Source page: https://machinistcharts.com/material/420-stainless/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: MachinistCharts (https://machinistcharts.com)