Machining DataSheet for

General Information:
Material GroupM - Stainless Steel
Sub-GroupMartensitic Stainless Steel
Tensile Strength750-950 [N/mm^2]
Machinability45%

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Machining Stainless Steel 420

Stainless Steel 420 is a martensitic (magnetic) stainless steel alloy with 12.5% chromium, 0.2% carbon and a machinability rating of 45%.

The amounts of carbon (Range 0.1-1.2%) and chromium (10-15%) are the main factors that affect the machinability of martensitic stainless materials.

  • More carbon ==> More strength, but lower machinability and less corrosion resistance
  • More chromium ==> More corrosion resistance, but lower machinabilty

    • Due to its low carbon content Stainless Steel 420 has high toughness, and therefore it is very malleable. The main challenge to machining it (relative to other martensitic stainless alloys) is breaking the chips. Therefore, it is recommended to select a sharp cutting edge with a tight chip breaker. For this reason, inserts that are designed for ausanict stainless alloys (Such as 304 and 316) will work well also on Stainless Steel 420

    Summery:

  • For general Turning of Stainless Steel 420 at stable conditions use a grade with a Semi Hard substrate and CVD coating.
  • In case you are running at a cutting speed that is lower than 390 SFM (120 m/min), it is better to use a grade with a
    • Semi Hard substrate and PVD coating.
  • For general Milling use a grade with a Semi Hard substrate and PVD coating.
  • For detailed carbide grades recommendations, check the Below Chart, or use the Grades Wizrad.
  • Recommended Cutting speed range for turning at stable conditions is 540 - 740 [SFM] / 165 - 225 [m/min].
  • Recommended Cutting speed range for milling with stable clamping and short overhang is 340 - 460 [SFM] / 105 - 140 [m/min]
  • For detailed cutting speed recomendations, check the Below Table, or use our Speed and Feed Calculator.

    • Equivalent International Designations for Stainless Steel 420

    Standard Name
    sae420
    wnr1.4021
    dinX20Cr13
    bs420S37
    ss2303
    anforZ20C13
    uniX20Cr13
    unfF.5261
    js1SUS420J2

    Chemical Composition for Stainless Steel 420

    Element Amount
    Chromium (Cr)12.5%
    Nickel (Ni)1%
    Silicon (Si)1.00%
    Manganese (Mn)1.00%
    Carbon (C)0.2%
    Phosphorus (P)0.04%
    Sulfur (S)0.04%

    Cutting Speeds Recomendations for Stainless Steel 420

    * Click on the speeds below for higher precision in specific conditions!

    ApplicationVc (m/min)Vc (SFM)
    Turning165-225540-740
    Milling105-140340-460
    Parting65-90210-300
    Grooving100-135330-440
    Drilling50-65160-210

    Important! The speed estimation is given for an ideal situation:

    • Most suitable carbide grade
    • Stable tool clamping
    • Stable workpiece clamping
    • Good quality raw material
    • A short overhang of the cutting tool.
    • Nominal hardness of the material.
    • etc.
    Click on the speeds in the above table to get better precision for specific parameters
    Or use our Speed and Feed Calculator


    Recommended Carbide Grades for Stainless Steel 420

    * If you do nott understand the below table? Read This Explanation to make the most out of it!

    Grade for Turning

    Grade for Parting Off

    Grade for Grooving

    Grade for Milling (Indexable)

    Recommended Insert Cutting Edge Geometry for Stainless Steel 420

    Honing Size:0.03-0.05 mm / 0.001-0.002"
    Rake Angle:9° -11°
    Land Angle:Positive
    Land Width:0.20-0.30 mm / 0.008-0.012"

    Learn more about carbide inserts Cutting-Edge Geometry Parameters.

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