420 Stainless Steel Plate for Textile Industry Blade Manufacturing

If you are looking for a specialized blade steel that can withstand high-speed, frequent shearing, delivers exceptional edge retention and wear resistance, and maintains superior rust resistance in the humid and hot environments of textile dyeing and printing, 420 Martensitic Stainless Steel Plate for Textile Blade Manufacturing is an ideal choice for enhancing industrial cutting tool lifespan and precision.

 

420 Stainless Steel (UNS S42000 / 1.4021 / 1.4028 / 4C13) is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel with a carbon content of 0.15%–0.40% and a chromium content of 12.0%–14.0%. In its annealed state, it offers excellent machinability and stamping performance, facilitating the precise forming of complex blade contours; after quenching and tempering heat treatment, its hardness can be precisely elevated to 50–55 HRC, which can significantly reduce the wear rate during high-speed cloth cutting, thread trimming, and chemical fiber slitting operations in textile machinery, extending blade replacement intervals by more than 30%. Furthermore, its chromium content of over 12% forms a dense chromium oxide passive film on the tool surface, effectively resisting corrosion caused by high humidity and chemical auxiliaries in textile workshops.

 

GNEE can supply 420 stainless steel plates with a thickness ranging from 0.5mm to 50mm and plate widths up to 1000mm-2000mm. To meet the stringent flatness requirements of textile blades, GNEE provides precision leveling and tension leveling services, controlling plate flatness tolerance within ≤1.0mm/m to effectively prevent blade distortion and warping after heat treatment.

Chemical Composition (ASTM A240 / AISI 420)

Element	Carbon (C)	Chromium (Cr)	Manganese (Mn)	Silicon (Si)	Phosphorus (P)	Sulfur (S)
420J1 (%)	0.16 - 0.25	12.00 - 14.00	≤ 1.00	≤ 1.00	≤ 0.040	≤ 0.030
420J2 (%)	0.26 - 0.40	12.00 - 14.00	≤ 1.00	≤ 1.00	≤ 0.040	≤ 0.030

 

Mechanical Properties (Typical Values)

Property	Annealed (Soft)	Hardened & Tempered (J2 Grade)	Relevance to Textile Blades
Hardness (HRC)	≤ 20 HRC	50 - 55 HRC	Ensures sharp edge retention
Tensile Strength (MPa)	≥ 520	≥ 1600	Resists blade deformation
Yield Strength (MPa)	≥ 225	≥ 1300	Prevents snapping under load
Elongation (%)	≥ 18	< 2	Low ductility is expected after hardening

 

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	7.75 g/cm³
Modulus of Elasticity	200 GPa
Thermal Conductivity	24.9 W/m·K (at 100°C)
Specific Heat	460 J/kg·K (0-100°C)
Magnetic Property	Magnetic

 

Heat Treatment Process

Textile blades must undergo precise heat treatment to handle abrasive fibers (polyester, nylon, etc.).

Process Stage	Temperature Range	Cooling Method	Purpose
Preheating	650°C - 750°C	Air	Prevents distortion/cracking
Austenitizing	980°C - 1050°C	Oil or Fan Air	Dissolves carbides for maximum hardness
Quenching	To below 60°C	Oil Quench	Transforms structure to Martensite
Tempering	150°C - 370°C	Air	Low Temp: High hardness (Cutting blades)
Tempering	400°C - 600°C	Air	High Temp: Higher toughness (Impact blades)

If you're working on a project, let me know:
What thickness of plate you needThe specific type of textile blade (rotary, shear, or fixed)Whether you need help with machining or heat treatment steps.

Contact now

 

Surface Finishes Available for 420 Stainless Steel Plate

Surface condition is important when the plate will be further processed into precision blades.

Surface	Characteristics
No.1	Hot-rolled, heat-treated and descaled
2B	Cold-rolled, heat-treated and finished
BA	Bright, smooth surface
No.4	Brushed finish
Ground	Controlled surface roughness
Polished	Low surface roughness

 

Quality Inspection

GNEE inspects each 420 stainless steel plate batch for chemical composition, PMI, tensile strength, hardness, thickness, flatness and surface quality. Dimensional inspection can be controlled to ±0.10 mm for precision orders, with EN 10204 3.1 MTC and optional UT/third-party inspection. ASTM A240 covers chemical and mechanical requirements.

 

Packaging

420 stainless steel plates are protected with waterproof paper, PVC film and edge guards, then securely packed on reinforced wooden or steel pallets. Each bundle is marked with grade, size, quantity and heat number, with export packaging designed to reduce moisture, scratches and deformation during long-distance transportation.

 

FAQ

Is 420 stainless steel good for textile cutting blades?
Yes. 420 stainless steel is well suited to many textile cutting blades because it can achieve relatively high hardness after heat treatment and provides good wear resistance and edge retention. The exact suitability depends on the textile material, cutting speed, blade geometry and required service life.

 

Can 420 stainless steel be heat treated?
Yes. 420 is a martensitic stainless steel and can be hardened through appropriate austenitizing, quenching and tempering processes. Heat-treatment parameters should be selected according to the applicable specification and required mechanical properties.

 

Is 420 stainless steel harder than 304?
Yes, when appropriately heat treated. 420 can achieve substantially higher hardness than 304 because 420 is a martensitic, heat-treatable stainless steel, whereas 304 is an austenitic grade that cannot be hardened through conventional quenching.

 

Is 420 stainless steel more corrosion resistant than 304?
No. 304 generally provides better corrosion resistance than 420. The advantage of 420 is its ability to achieve high hardness and strength, making it more suitable for many cutting and wear applications.

 

What is the difference between 420 and 440C stainless steel for blades?
Both are martensitic stainless steels, but 440C generally contains more carbon and can achieve higher hardness and wear resistance. 420, however, can offer a useful balance of hardness, toughness, corrosion resistance and cost for many industrial blades.

 

Can 420 stainless steel be used for rotary textile blades?
Yes. 420 can be used for various rotary and circular textile blades when its hardness, toughness, thickness and edge geometry are properly designed for the application.

 

What surface finish is best for 420 blade manufacturing?
There is no universal best finish. 2B or annealed material can be suitable for general blade manufacturing, while ground or precision-ground material may be preferred when tight thickness, flatness and surface requirements are important.

 

What tests should be performed on 420 stainless steel plate?
Typical inspections include chemical composition, PMI, tensile testing, hardness testing, dimensional inspection and surface inspection. Ultrasonic testing and metallographic examination can be added for applications requiring enhanced quality assurance.