SUS420J2 Hardened Stainless Steel Sheet (40–50 HRC)
Jul 22, 2026
Leave a message
What is SUS420J2 hardened stainless steel plate?
SUS420J2 is a hardenable martensitic stainless steel plate containing approximately 0.15–0.40% carbon and 12–14% chromium. Characterized by high strength, excellent corrosion resistance in mild environments, and the ability to achieve a maximum hardness of 50–55 HRC after heat treatment (quenching and tempering), it is suitable for applications such as industrial knives, surgical instruments, molds, pump components, wear-resistant mechanical plates, shear blades, and precision mechanical parts.
What is the difference between SUS420J2 and SUS420J1 stainless steel?
The primary difference between SUS420J1 and SUS420J2 is their carbon content. SUS420J2 contains more carbon (0.26–0.40%) compared to SUS420J1 (0.16–0.25%), which allows J2 to achieve a higher hardness and better edge retention, while J1 offers superior toughness, easier machinability, and better corrosion resistance.
What is the equivalent material for SUS420J2?
The primary global equivalent for SUS420J2 (a Japanese JIS standard for martensitic stainless steel) is AISI 420 (USA). Other direct international equivalents include X30Cr13 or 1.4028 (Europe/EN), 3Cr13 (China), and 420S45 (UK).
SUS420J2 Hardened Stainless Steel Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (Weight %) |
| Carbon | 0.26 – 0.40 |
| Silicon | ≤ 1.00 |
| Manganese | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus | ≤ 0.040 |
| Sulfur | ≤ 0.030 |
| Chromium | 12.00 – 14.00 |
| Nickel | ≤ 0.60 (Optional) |
| Iron | Balance |
Mechanical Properties (Typical Hardened & Tempered)
| Property | Annealed (Soft) | Hardened & Tempered (H&T) |
| Tensile Strength | 540 MPa (min) | 1450 – 1700 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2% Offset) | 225 MPa (min) | 1250 – 1450 MPa |
| Elongation (in 50mm) | ≥ 18% | 2% – 8% |
| Hardness (Rockwell C) | ≤ 20 HRC | 50 – 55 HRC (Typical max) |
| Hardness (Brinell) | ≤ 235 HBW | ~500 HBW |
SUS420J2 Stainless Steel Heat Treatment Schedule
| Process | Temperature | Cooling Method |
| Annealing | 800 - 900°C (Slow furnace cool) | Air or Furnace Cool |
| Quenching (Hardening) | 980 - 1040°C | Oil Quench or Air Blast |
| Tempering | 150 - 400°C (For high hardness) | Air Cool |
| Stress Relieving | 600 - 750°C (For toughness) | Air Cool |
SUS420J2 Stainless Steel Plate Applications
Cutlery: High-quality kitchen knives and professional shears.
Medical: Surgical instruments (scalpels, forceps).
Industrial: Wear plates, valve parts, pump shafts, and needle valves.
Hardware: Measuring tools, calipers, and high-strength fasteners.
Tooling: Plastic injection molds requiring wear resistance.
SUS420J2 vs. 440C Stainless Steel: Knife
440C is a premium, high-carbon steel designed for superior edge retention and wear resistance, reaching 58-60 HRC. In contrast, SUS420J2 is a budget stainless steel; it is softer (52-55 HRC), making it easier to sharpen and tougher, but it loses its sharpness quickly.
Buyer Tips:
Many buyers mistakenly believe that higher hardness always means better performance.
In reality:
40–45 HRC provides better impact resistance.
45–50 HRC offers higher wear resistance.
Above 55 HRC, the risk of cracking increases significantly under impact loading.
For most industrial components, 40–50 HRC is considered the optimal hardness range.
SUS420J2 Hardened Stainless Steel Sheet (40–50 HRC) | JIS High Hardness Steel Supplier
GNEE brings over 18 years of experience in stainless steel manufacturing and exporting, supplying hardened SUS420J2 stainless steel sheets to customers in more than 50 countries worldwide. Our products widely serve industries such as precision tooling, food processing, medical equipment, automotive manufacturing, and industrial machinery.
We utilize advanced continuous protective atmosphere quenching furnaces and vacuum tempering technologies to guarantee uniform through-hardening across the entire cross-section, strictly controlling the hardness variance within ±2 HRC and completely eliminating the risk of core softening. Thanks to our controlled heat treatment processes, our sheets maintain exceptional flatness, with post-treatment flatness controlled to ≤3mm/m to perfectly meet your stringent requirements for laser cutting or precision forming.
SUS420J2 Hardened Stainless Steel Plate Specifications
| Item | GNEE Supply Capability |
|---|---|
| Product | SUS420J2 Stainless Steel Sheet / Plate |
| Standard | JIS G4304, JIS G4305, ASTM A240 (Equivalent Grade), EN 10088 |
| Equivalent Grades | AISI 420J2, X30Cr13, EN 1.4028, 3Cr13 |
| Thickness | 0.3–80 mm |
| Width | 600 mm, 1,000 mm, 1,219 mm, 1,250 mm, 1,500 mm, or customized |
| Length | 1,000–6,000 mm or cut to size |
| Surface Finish | 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL, Mirror, Customized |
| Supply Condition | Annealed (Soft), Hardened & Tempered (40–50 HRC), Customized Hardness |
| Hardness Range | 20 HRC (Annealed) to 50 HRC (Heat Treated) |
| Cutting Service | Laser Cutting, Waterjet Cutting, Plasma Cutting, CNC Machining |
| Edge | Mill Edge (ME), Slit Edge (SE) |
| Protective Film | PVC Laser Film or PE Protective Film Available |
| Inspection | Chemical Analysis, Hardness Test, Tensile Test, Dimensional Inspection, Surface Inspection, PMI (Optional), Ultrasonic Test (Optional) |
Payment Terms
| Item | Terms |
|---|---|
| Trade Terms | EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, DDP |
| Payment Method | T/T, L/C at Sight |
| Standard Payment | 30% T/T Deposit + 70% Balance Before Shipment |
| Large Orders | Irrevocable L/C at Sight Acceptable |
| Sample Order | 100% T/T Before Production |
| Currency | USD, EUR, RMB |
| MOQ | Small Trial Orders Available; Standard MOQ: 1 Ton |
| Price Validity | Typically 3–7 Days (Subject to Raw Material Market) |
Each shipment can be accompanied by an EN 10204 3.1 Material Test Certificate (MTC), hardness test report, chemical composition analysis, and dimensional inspection records; third-party inspection by SGS, BV, or TÜV is also supported.
Packaging
Surface Protection: PVC or PE protective film (single or double-sided) can be applied upon request to prevent scratches during processing.
Moisture and Rust Protection: Wrapped in waterproof paper, with additional metal edge protectors or wooden supports.
Loading Method:
Wooden Pallets: Suitable for thin or medium-gauge sheets; facilitates forklift loading and unloading.
Steel Strapping: Securely strapped to prevent shifting during transport.
Weight Limits: Pallet weight can be customized according to client requirements (e.g., 1 ton, 2 tons, or 3 tons).
Advantages: Fumigated wooden packaging compliant with international maritime standards (IPPC), suitable for direct export.
Send Inquiry