What is 1.4006 Stainless Steel?
Jan 13, 2026
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1.4006 stainless steel, commonly known as Type 410 or UNS S41000, is a general-purpose martensitic stainless steel. It offers a good balance of moderate corrosion resistance, high strength, and hardness achievable through heat treatment, making it a cost-effective choice for applications requiring wear resistance and mechanical properties beyond those of austenitic grades, such as in cutlery, fasteners, and pump components.
This widely used martensitic grade is standardized under various international systems.
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| EN (Europe) | 1.4006 |
| ASTM/AISI (USA) | 410, UNS S41000 |
| JIS (Japan) | SUS410 |
| KS (Korea) | STS410 |
Its composition is relatively simple, centered around chromium for corrosion resistance.
| Element | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Cr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content (%) | ≤ 0.08-0.15 | ≤ 1.0 | ≤ 1.5 | ≤ 0.04 | ≤ 0.03 | 11.5 - 13.5 |
Mechanical properties vary greatly depending on the heat treatment condition (annealed, hardened & tempered).
| Condition | Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | Tensile Strength (Rm) | Elongation (A) | Hardness (HB/HRC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed | ~ 275 MPa | ~ 500 MPa | ~ 25% | ~ 155 HB |
| Hardened & Tempered | ≥ 345 MPa | ≥ 655 MPa | ≥ 15% | Up to ~ 40 HRC |
Key Characteristics and Applications of 1.4006 / 410
Heat Treatable: Can be hardened by oil quenching from a high temperature and then tempered to achieve a desired combination of strength, hardness, and toughness.
Moderate Corrosion Resistance: Provides good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, water, steam, and mild chemicals, but is not suitable for severe corrosive environments like chloride-rich media.
Magnetic and Machinable: Strongly magnetic in all conditions. In the annealed state, it offers good machinability.
Primary Applications:
Cutlery and Hand Tools: Knife blades, scissors, and surgical instruments.
Industrial Fasteners: Bolts, nuts, screws, and studs requiring strength.
Pump and Valve Parts: Shafts, stems, balls, and seats in water and mild chemical service.
General Engineering: Gears, bushings, and other wear-resistant components.
What are the typical heat treatment steps for 410 (1.4006) stainless steel?
The process typically involves three steps. First, hardening: heat to approximately 980-1010°C, hold, then quench rapidly in oil or air (depending on section thickness) to form a hard martensitic structure. Second, tempering: reheat to a temperature between 150-700°C (depending on desired hardness/toughness balance), hold, and cool. Lower tempering temperatures yield higher hardness and strength; higher temperatures increase toughness and ductility with reduced strength. Annealing is done by heating to 830-880°C and slow cooling to soften the material for machining.
How does the corrosion resistance of 410 stainless steel compare to 304?
Grade 410 has significantly lower corrosion resistance than austenitic 304. While it performs adequately in mild atmospheric and fresh water conditions, it lacks sufficient nickel and has lower chromium content, making it unsuitable for oxidizing acids, marine environments, or many chemical processing applications where 304 is commonly used. 410 is primarily chosen for its mechanical properties, not its corrosion resistance.
Looking for a Reliable Supplier of 1.4006 / 410 Stainless Steel?
GNEE Steel supplies versatile 410 (1.4006) martensitic stainless steel in bar, wire, and plate forms, available in annealed or heat-treated conditions to meet specific mechanical requirements. We provide material certification and processing support. If you have any requirements, please feel free to contact us.
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