Grade 440C is capable of attaining, after heat treatment, the highest strength, hardness and wear resistance of all the stainless alloys. Its very high carbon content is responsible for these characteristics, which make 440C particularly suited to such applications as ball bearings and valve parts.
Grades 440A and 440B are identical except for slightly lower carbon contents (0.60 – 0.75% and 0.75 – 0.95% respectively); these have lower attainable hardnesses but slightly higher corrosion resistances. Although all three versions of this grade are standard grades, in practice 440C is more available than the A or B variants.
A free-machining variant 440F (UNS S44020) also exists, with the same high carbon content as 440C. Again this grade is not readily available in Australia.
Martensitic stainless steels are optimised for high hardness, and other properties are to some degree compromised. Fabrication must be by methods that allow for poor weldability and usually also allow for a final harden and temper heat treatment. Corrosion resistance is lower than the common austenitic grades, and their useful operating temperature range is limited by their loss of ductility at sub-zero temperatures and loss of strength by over-tempering at elevated temperatures.
Chemical Composition
Spec: EN 10088-3:2005
1.4125 Steel
| Chemical Element | % Present |
| Carbon (C) | 0.95 – 1.20 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.00 – 18.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.0 – 1.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.0 – 1.00 |
| Phosphorous (P) | 0.0 – 0.04 |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.0 – 0.03 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.40 – 0.80 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
Properties
| Physical Property | Value |
| Density | 7.65 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Expansion | 10.1 x10^-6 /K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 24.2 W/m.K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.6 x10^-6 Ω .m |
Spec: EN 10088-3:2005
Bar – Up To 100mm Dia or Thickness
| Mechanical Property | Value |
| Proof Stress | 448-1900 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 758-2030 MPa |
| Elongation A50 mm | 4-14 % |
Alloy Designations
440C
UNS44004
1.4125
Supplied Forms
- Bar
Applications
Typical applications include:
Rolling element bearings
Valve seats
High quality knife blades
Surgical instruments
Chisels
Corrosion Resistance
Good resistance to the atmosphere, fresh water, foods, alkalies and mild acids. Best resistance in the hardened and tempered and passivated condition. A smooth polished surface also assists.
The corrosion resistance of grade 440C approximates that of grade 304 in many environments.
Heat Resistance
Not recommended for use in temperatures above the relevant tempering temperature, because of reduction in mechanical properties by over-tempering.
Machinability
In the annealed condition this grade is relatively easily machined; approximately the same as for high speed steel. Chips are tough and stringy so chip breakers are important. If these grades are hardened machining becomes more difficult and probably impossible.
Heat Treatment
Annealing – Full anneal – 850-900°C, slow furnace cool to about 600°C and then air cool. Sub-critical Annealing – 735-785°C and slow furnace cool.
Hardening – Heat to 1010-1065°C, followed by quenching in warm oil or air. Oil quenching is necessary for heavy sections. Immediately temper at 150-370°C to obtain a wide variety of hardness values and mechanical properties as indicated in the accompanying table.
Tempering in the range 425-565°C is to be avoided because of reduced impact resistance and corrosion resistance. Tempering in the range 590-675°C results in lower hardness (the product become machinable) and high impact resistance.
Weldability
If welding is necessary pre-heat at 250°C and follow welding with a full anneal. Grade 420 filler will give a high hardness weld (although not as high as the 440C), but 309 or 310 will produce soft welds with higher ductility.