To manufacture corrosion free, sharp edge appliances especially knives, choose 3Cr13 stainless steel.
Read this guide to learn more about 3Cr13 stainless steel and its different applications in multiple industries from automobiles to medical.
Let’s dive into it:
What is 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
This stainless steel is martensitic steel with 0.3% carbon and 13% chromium. Because of high chromium content, 3Cr13 stainless steel has high tensile strength and, therefore used in multiple tools formation like shafts, nozzles, valves, and many more. Manufacturers found it useful to make knives because of various capabilities:
- 3Cr13 can be grounded easily
- Has enough corrosion resistance
- Sharpening possible
- Radially available in market
- Not much expensive
Composition of 3Cr13 Steel
3Cr13 name indicate its composition, as discussed earlier but complete chemical composition is here:
| Element Name | Quantity (%) |
| Carbon | 0.3 |
| Chromium | 13 |
| Silicon | 1.0 |
| Manganese | 1.0 |
| Nickel | 0.6 |
| Phosphorus | 0.04 |
| Sulfur | 0.03 |
Products of 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
3Cr13 stainless steel comes in four common products which are: plate or sheets, steel bars, coil stripe and pipes tubes. Here are specifications of each product:
Plate/ Sheets: 3Cr13 steel oftenly comes in plates or sheets with dimension of 0.08-200 mm (T)*W*L. These products can be formed by hot roling, cold rolling and forging process.
Steel Bar: This product of 3Cr13 stainless steel form in round bar, flat bar and square bar shapes with dimension of Φ8-1200mm*L. 3Cr13 steel bars could be manufactured by hot rolling, cold rolling, cast and forging as well.
Coil/ Strip: You can get 3Cr13 stainless steel in coil or strip form with dimension of 0.03-16.0x1200mm. Its done through cold or hote rolled process.
Pipes/Tubes: Seamless pipes or tubes and welded pipes and tubes of 3Cr13 stainless steel can be formed. Their dimension lie OD:6-219mm x WT:0.5-20.0mm and prepared through hot extrusion, cold drawn and welded method.
Performance Process of 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
Hot Working
The temperature for hot working of 3Cr13 stainless steel lies between 850 to 1200 degrees celsius. The heating process is done gradually before reaching its optimal temperature which is 1160 to 1200 degree celsius. There are two considerations for hot working:
- Before loading the 3Cr13 stainless steel in the furnace, the temperature should be below 800℃ to avoid any damage.
- When hot working process is done, cool the material slowly or timely.
Cold Working
3Cr13 stainless steel occasionally does not process cold working. With limited tolerance of cold, it may produce cold drown steel, colled rolled wires and sheets.
Properties of 3Cr13 Steel
General Properties
- Corrosion Resistance:The less carbon but good chromium content gives 3Cr13 stainless steel good corrosion resistance. But this corrosion resistance is not enough to bear a harsh corrosive environment, therefore when 3Cr13 is used against harsh conditions, it can corrode.
- Hardness: Hardness of any steel largely depends upon its carbon content. As 3Cr13 steel has low carbon content, therefore occupying moderate hardness rarely equal to 50 to 58 HRC. Apart from carbon content, the hardness of steel also relies on the heat treatment process of steel.
- Retention: 3Cr13 stainless steel can be easily sharpened. Though edge retention of this steel is lower in comparison to precious steels but give enough hold with respect to price. Because of these characteristics, knife manufacturing industries prefer 3Cr13 stainless steel.
- Sharpening: This martenitistic steel can be easily reshaped, which makes it an ideal choice for knife owners. If this material is passed through best sharpening techniques, its edge could form razor sharp.
- Toughness: The toughness of 3Cr13 stainless steel makes it a strong material, which is why it can resist breaking or chipping. Toughness and hardness are antiparallel, an increase in hardness of any material reduces toughness but increases brittleness. Due to this property, 3Cr13 stainless steel can endure rough usage.
- Wear Resistance: the high hardness of this stainless steel give it good wear resistance as well. Due to this property, you can use this material where stress and friction involved. Its chromium content enhances the wear resistance by forming surface layer. However wear resistance of 3Cr13 steel is less than harder alloys or tools, but you can increase it by improving heat treatment.
- Machinability: 3Cr13 stainless steel is easily machineable, therefore preferably used to manufacture precised shaping appliances like knives and surgical insstruments. Its internal structure, heat treatment process and composition affect the machining result.
Mechanical Properties
3Cr13 stainless steel is known for its mechanical properties, which very upon hot and cold processing, let’s discuss for both:
| Mechanical Properties of 3Cr13 Stainless Steel | ||
| Properties | For Hot Rolled Steel Bars | For Cold Rolled Steel Plate |
| Tensile Strength | ≥735 N/mm2 | 540 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥12% | ≥18% |
| Hardness:HBW | ≤ 217 | ≤ 235 |
| Hardness:HV | ≤ 247 | ≤ 247 |
| Hardness: HRC / HRB | 48-53 | ≤ 99 |
| Yield Strength | ≥540 N/mm2 | |
Physical Properties
The physical properties of 3Cr13 stainless steel make it ideal to use for various industrial applications such as to make magnetic motors etc. Some of the properties may include:
| Physical Properties of 3Cr13 Stainless Steel | |
|---|---|
Density | 7.76 g/cm3 |
Melting point | 1365℃ |
Specific heat capacity (J/Kg·K) | 170 at 0-100℃ |
Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | at 100℃ 25.1 |
at 500℃ 25.5 | |
Thermal expansion | 11-12 µm/m°C |
Coefficients of linear thermal expansion (10-6/K) | From 0-100℃, 10.5 |
| From 0-500℃, 12.0 | |
Electrical Resistivity (μΩ·m) | 0.52 at 20℃ |
Longitudinal modulus of elasticity (kN/mm2) | 219 at 20℃ |
Heat Treatment of 3Cr13
3Cr13 is heat treated to enhance its properties like hardness, strength and toughness. For this steel, heat treatment processes are three respectively annealing, hardening and tempering. Let’s elaborate each one:
Annealing: For annealing the temperature of 3Cr13 stainless steel is set between 750 to 800°C, and it is continued until temperature uniformly spread throughout the material. After this, the furnace is cool down slowly at room temperature. Purpose of 3Cr1 3 steel annealing is to improve ductility and soften the steel.
Hardening: In this heat treatment process, the temperature of 3Cr13 stainless steel is set between 980 to 1050°C. When temperature reach thoroughly into the material, its cooled in oil or air rapidly for quenching. Through this process the martenisitic structure of 3Cr13 stainless steel retain and hardness enhanced.
Tempering: in this heat treatment process of 3Cr13 stainless steel, the temperature is considered between 200 to 400 degree celsius, and same temeprature iss hold for one hour. After this, the steel is cooled in air. Tempering of material reduces the brittleness but adjusted the hardness.
Applications of 3Cr13 Steel
3Cr13 stainless steel has vast application in different industries corresponding to its properties. These applications may include:
Cultery Applications: Because of resistance and moderate hardness, 3Cr13 stainless steel is ideal to use for cutlery applications. Apart from this, engineers use it where bulk prodducts required to manufacture due to its effective cost.
Automotive Industries: 3Cr13 steel is mostly used in automotive industries to form different engine components. This steel asle suitable to form tools which require good strength but moderate corrosion.
Medical Industry: This stainless steel used to form various medical instruments like surgical and dental because of hardness and durability.
Manufacturing Industries: Other companies which manufacture kitchen equipments and other domestic goods also use 3Cr13 stainless steel. Purpose of 3Cr13 steel usage is simple to get well performed products.
Advantages and Disadvantages of 3Cr13 Steel
3Cr13 stainless steel exhibit some advantage and disadvantages over other stainless steels which could be:
Advantages of 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
- This steel is usable under various conditions as well as cost effective than other high grade stainless steels.
- 3Cr13 stainless steel has lower nickel content, therefore easily machinable.
- This stainless steel is useful for multiple purposes which may include automotive parts and other tools of the industries.
- 3Cr13 steel is heat treated to enhance hardness of material.
Disadvantages of 3Cr13 Stainless Steel
- The toughness and brittleness of 3Cr13 steel is lower in comparison to higher grade stainless steels.
- This material has limited corrosion resistance.
- You cannot use 3Cr13 stainlesss for applications where higher edge retention is required.
Equivalent Grades of 3Cr13 Steel
3Cr13 stainless steel is similar to many grades with comparable chromium content. Their composition is little differ from eachother. Here are these:
AISI 420: This grade is equivalent to 3Cr13 Steel because of same chromium content and hardness. AISI 420 may exhibit higher hardness.
BS 420S37: Its a british standard material with similar mechanical properties to 3Cr13 steel. That is why, you can use this material too, to manufacture industrial tools.
JIS SUS420J2: This Japanese steel is just like 3Cr13 stainless steel in corrosion resistance, hardness and other properties. So, manufacturer companies use it as alternative to 3Cr13 steel.
DIN 1.2083: This material is German standard and used in replacement to 3Cr13 stainless steel.
Conclusion
With proper understanding of 3Cr30 stainless steel, you can adjust it with your industrial need. Through this guide you will become able to know any alternative steel to 3Cr30 stainless steel.
To get 3Cr30 stainless steel product in multiple form, contact at Kdmfab.
FAQs
Is 3Cr13 Stainless Steel Magnetic?
Yes, 3Cr13 stainless steel is ferromagnetic, which means it an attract magnet. This characteristic of 3Cr13 is due to martensitic structure. Due to high iron content and crytal structure 3Cr13 steel exhibit magnetism.
How to Maintain 3Cr13 Steel?
In order to maintain any appliances made up with 3Cr13 Steel, clean it regularly with warm water and a soft cloth. In porder to prevent from spots, dry the surface thoroughly. And in order to maintain its appearance, polish it. Avoid the exposure of excessive heat to protect it from discoloration.
Is 3Cr13 Steel Good for Knives?
Yes, this steel is good to make knives because of its moderate corrosion resistance and effective cost. Therefore engineers use it to manufacture multiple tools in bulk form.
Is 3Cr13 Steel Durable?
Yes, 3Cr13 steel is durable. With 13% chromium, this material work against corrosive environment and due to edge retention, its suitable fpr everyday task.
