Stainless steel round bars 1.4034 / 420C

What is 1.4034 (AISI 420C) stainless steel?

Stainless steel round bars 1.4034 / 420C are solid, cylindrical bars made from a martensitic stainless steel grade often specified as EN 1.4034 (DIN X46Cr13), AISI 420C (US) or PN 4H13 (PL). Martensitic stainless steels contain higher carbon than austenitic grades, which allows them to be heat treated to high hardness and wear resistance while still offering basic corrosion resistance compared with plain carbon steels. In plain terms: they are magnetic, can be hardened for cutting or wear applications, and are more corrosion resistant than ordinary steel but less so than austenitic stainless grades.

Key properties

• Corrosion resistance: Good resistance to alkaline solutions, weathering and diluted acids; not recommended for strongly chlorinated or highly acidic environments.
• Hardness and wear resistance: Can be heat treated to reach high hardness levels for cutting edges, bearings and other wear-prone parts.
• Machinability and formability: Reasonably machinable in the annealed condition; formability decreases after hardening.
• Magnetic: Martensitic structure means the material is magnetic.
• Weldability: Weldable with appropriate procedures, but welds and heat-affected zones may need post‑weld heat treatment to recover mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.

Typical uses of Stainless steel round bars 1.4034 / 420C

Because of the combination of hardenability and corrosion resistance, 1.4034 / 420C round bars are commonly used for components where hardness and moderate corrosion resistance are required. Typical applications include:

• Cutlery and knife blades
• Surgical and dental instruments (where specific polishing and heat treatment are applied)
• Valve parts, shafts, pins and small mechanical components
• Bearings, rollers and ball-race components for light to moderate duty
• Springs, fasteners and hand tools
• Wear parts and tooling in general engineering

Who buys these round bars and in which industries?

Customers range from hobbyists and small-scale knife makers to OEM engineers and maintenance teams. Common industries include:

• Cutlery and toolmaking
• Medical device manufacturing (for specific instrument parts)
• Automotive and general engineering (shafts, pins, small components)
• Chemical and petrochemical for components not exposed to highly aggressive media
• Machine shops, repair and maintenance departments

Note: for heavy offshore or highly chlorinated marine environments, duplex or higher‑alloy austenitic stainless steels are usually preferred due to superior corrosion resistance. 1.4034 may be suitable for some sheltered or less aggressive offshore applications but should be selected with caution.

Working, heat treatment and finishing

• Heat treatment: Can be hardened and tempered to achieve desired hardness and toughness — this is often done for knives, bearings and wear parts.
• Machining: Best machined in the annealed condition; hardening after machining is common for finished components.
• Grinding and polishing: Achieves good surface finish for cutlery and medical instruments; surface finish affects corrosion performance.
• Welding: Possible, but preheat/postheat and appropriate filler metals are recommended; weld areas may require subsequent heat treatment.

Corrosion resistance and maintenance

Although 1.4034 / 420C is a stainless steel and offers improved corrosion resistance over plain carbon steels, it is less resistant than austenitic grades (e.g. 304/316). Avoid prolonged exposure to chloride-rich environments (sea water, salt spray) and strong acids. Regular cleaning and passivation will help maintain performance and appearance.

Notes on specifications and ordering

When ordering Stainless steel round bars 1.4034 / 420C, be clear about required condition (annealed or hardened/tempered), diameter and length, surface finish (bright/turned), and any certification needs (material certificates, traceability). If your application requires higher corrosion resistance or exceptional toughness, our advisors can suggest alternative stainless families (austenitic or duplex).

If you need help selecting the right grade, heat treatment or bar condition for your project, contact our technical sales team with details of the intended application and environment.