400 Series Stainless Steel for Precision Castings
Properties & Characteristics of Stainless Steel Grades 410-440C
400 series stainless steel is a stainless steel alloy similar to 300 stainless steel. The main difference between these alloys and their associated grades is their chemical makeup and components.
The lack of nickel content in 400 stainless steel is a notable difference from 300 stainless steel. This can make 400 SS more prone to corrosion - although stainless steel is already more protected against corrosion than other metals. Additionally, 400 SS contains a higher carbon content than 300 SS. The carbon adds to its durability and strengthens the alloy.
Our skilled machinists have experience casting mission-critical components from multiple grades of 400 series stainless steel. Our 400 series stainless steel selection allows us to create durable, high-precision cast parts for various industries.
Learn more about our 400 series stainless steel casting alloys below, or contact Aero Metals for more information.
400 Series Stainless Steel Differences By Grade
400 Series stainless steels include both ferritic and martensitic stainless steel grades used for a wide range of investment-casting applications. The specific alloy ideal for your application depends on the required corrosion resistance, formability, wear, strength, temperature resistance, cost, and additional factors. Below, we outline the most common 400 Series stainless steel grades that Aero Metals uses to cast custom parts.
410 (CA15) Stainless Steel | UNS S41000
410 SS is the general-purpose alloy for 400 stainless steel. It has a strong corrosion resistance when exposed to low concentrations of acids or atmospheric corrosion. It is hardened yet machinable, making it applicable to many industries or projects.
410 Stainless Steel Casting Applications
410 SS is commonly utilized for items such as:
- Cutlery
- Bolts and fasteners
- Medical instruments
- Nozzles and more
416 (IC 416) Stainless Steel | UNS S41600
416 SS is martensitic and has the highest machinability of any stainless steel. It has low frictional properties, which help reduce galling and seizing during machining. It is both hardenable and corrosion-resistant.
416 Stainless Steel Casting Applications
416 SS is found in:
- Fasteners
- Pumps and valves
- Gears
- Motors
- Machine components.
420 (CA40) Stainless Steel | UNS S42000
420 SS is a martensitic grade of stainless steel similar to 410 SS. It contains a higher level of carbon, giving it more strength. Corrosion resistance is low, but 420 SS is desired for its high hardening levels.
420 Stainless Steel Casting Applications
Typical applications of 420 SS include:
- Hand tools
- Cutlery
- Shear blades
- Surgical instruments
431 (IC 431) Stainless Steel | UNS S43100
431 SS is martensitic with corrosion-resistant solid properties. It is tough, with high torque strength and tensile properties. When heat treated, 431 SS can increase in strength levels.
431 Stainless Steel Casting Applications
431 SS is commonly used for applications that require high-yield strength, including:
- Aerospace bolt and shaft applications
440A (IC 440A) Stainless Steel | UNS S44002
440A SS is martensitic with high machinability. It contains less carbon than 440C SS, making it less corrosion-resistant. However, it has high levels of hardness and is resistant to wear.
440A Stainless Steel Casting Applications
440A SS is suitable for cutting tools, such as:
- Knife blades
- Kitchen cutlery
- Medical or dental instruments
440C (IC 440C) Stainless Steel | UNS S44004
440C SS is martensitic with high corrosion resistance. It contains more carbon than 440A SS but with less machinability. It has the highest hardness of any stainless steel alloy and is wear-resistant.
440C Stainless Steel Casting Applications
The hardness of 440C SS makes it suitable for the following applications:
- Ball bearings and bearing races
- Cutlery and knives
400 Series Stainless Steel Casting Applications
Aero Metals works with several metal alloys in our stainless steel casting process. Based on your performance and application requirements, our expert metallurgists can help you choose the best alloy for your stainless steel investment casting needs. Frequent industries served include:
- Automotive
- Machine tool
- Food and dairy
- Petrochemical
- Firearms
Contact Us Today to Learn About Our Investment Casting Capabilities
Aero Metals is dedicated to delivering reliable investment cast parts from high-quality metals that provide outstanding benefits. With top-tier metal casting quality, testing, and inspection standards, Aero Metals is a trusted source for premium-grade precision investment casting services for various industries.
