What is 1.4104 Stainless Steel?
Jan 27, 2026
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Grade Overview and Designations
1.4104 is a free-machining martensitic stainless steel, widely known as 416 or UNS S41600. Sulfur is added to improve machinability, which makes the grade one of the easiest stainless steels to machine. It is primarily supplied as bar and wire for high-volume machined components where corrosion resistance requirements are moderate.
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| EN | 1.4104 |
| ASTM/AISI | 416, UNS S41600 |
| JIS | SUS416 |
| KS | STS416 |
Chemical Composition
The composition below compares the EN steel 1.4104 (X14CrMoS17) per EN 10088-3 with Type 416 per ASTM A582. Note that the EN grade carries higher chromium plus a small molybdenum addition, so the two designations are close equivalents rather than identical chemistries.
| Element | 1.4104 (EN 10088-3) | Type 416 (ASTM A582) |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.10–0.17 | ≤0.15 |
| Si | ≤1.00 | ≤1.00 |
| Mn | ≤1.50 | ≤1.25 |
| P | ≤0.040 | ≤0.06 |
| S | 0.15–0.35 | ≥0.15 |
| Cr | 15.5–17.5 | 12.0–14.0 |
| Mo | 0.20–0.60 | Optional |
| Se | - | ≤0.15, optional |
Mechanical Properties and Heat Treatment
The grade can be supplied soft-annealed for machining, or hardened and tempered to higher strength. Typical values for bar are shown below.
| Condition | Yield strength (Rp0.2) | Tensile strength (Rm) | Elongation (A) | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed | ~275 MPa | ~515 MPa | ~20% | ~20 HRC |
| Hardened and tempered | ≥690 MPa | ≥860 MPa | ≥12% | 30–40 HRC |
Hardening is carried out by austenitizing, oil quenching and tempering, in the same way as other martensitic grades. The achievable hardness depends on section size and tempering temperature, and should be verified by testing.
Key Characteristics
Excellent machinability is the defining feature: the sulfur addition permits high cutting speeds, good surface finish and long tool life. Corrosion resistance is moderate and suitable for atmospheric conditions and mild chemicals, but not for severe corrosive or chloride-rich environments, because manganese sulfide inclusions act as initiation sites for pitting. The grade is magnetic and hardenable.
Applications
1.4104 is used for machined fasteners and fittings such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers; precision components such as gears, shafts, valve parts and pump components; small parts for the defence and firearms industry; and general engineering parts where machinability matters more than corrosion resistance. Where welded assemblies or aggressive media are involved, select a different grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is 1.4104 the same as 416?
Yes in practical terms. 1.4104 is the EN designation and 416 the ASTM/AISI designation of the same free-machining martensitic grade, UNS S41600.
Q2. What is the main advantage of 1.4104 over 420?
Machinability. The sulfur addition allows faster cutting speeds, longer tool life and better surface finish, at the cost of lower corrosion resistance than 420.
Q3. How does sulfur affect the corrosion resistance of 416?
The high sulfur content forms manganese sulfide inclusions that act as initiation sites for pitting, reducing corrosion resistance compared with low-sulfur martensitic grades.
Q4. Can 1.4104 be hardened?
Yes. As a martensitic grade it is hardened by oil quenching from the austenitizing range and then tempered to the required strength and hardness.
Q5. Is 1.4104 magnetic?
Yes, strongly magnetic, like all martensitic stainless steels.
Q6. Can 1.4104 be welded?
Welding is not recommended because the sulfur content promotes hot cracking. Choose a weldable grade for welded assemblies.
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