If you’re working on projects that need a strong, corrosion-resistant stainless steel with heat-treatable capabilities, AISI 410 stainless steel is a top choice. This martensitic stainless steel balances mechanical strength, formability, and cost-effectiveness—making it popular across industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know, from its chemical makeup to real-world applications.
1. AISI 410 Stainless Steel: Overview & Key Specifications
Understanding the basics of AISI 410 stainless steel starts with its composition and standards. This metal is defined by strict industry specifications, ensuring consistency across suppliers.
Chemical Composition
The AISI 410 composition is what gives it its unique properties. The most critical element is chromium (11.5–13.5%), which provides corrosion resistance. It also contains 410 carbon range 0.08–0.15% —enough to enable heat hardening but low enough to maintain ductility. Other elements include manganese (max 1.0%), silicon (max 1.0%), and small amounts of phosphorus and sulfur. There’s no nickel in AISI 410, which sets it apart from austenitic grades like 304.
Industry Standards & Equivalents
AISI 410 is covered by global standards to ensure quality:
- 410 UNS S41000: The Unified Numbering System identifier for this grade.
- 410 ASTM A240/A276: ASTM A240 applies to plates/sheets, while A276 covers bars and wire.
- 410 EN 1.4006 equivalent: The European standard equivalent, often used in EU-based projects.
Physical & Mechanical Properties
Below is a table of key properties that make AISI 410 stainless steel suitable for high-stress applications:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| 410 density | 7.75 g/cm³ |
| 410 melting point | 1480 °C |
| 410 yield strength | 205–275 MPa |
| 410 tensile strength | 450–650 MPa |
| 410 Brinell hardness | 150–220 HB |
| 410 martensitic microstructure | Forms hard martensite when quenched, enabling heat treatment |
Example: A manufacturer of pump shafts relies on 410 tensile strength (450–650 MPa) to handle high rotational forces without bending. The martensitic microstructure also allows them to harden the shafts for longer wear life.
2. Corrosion Resistance & Environmental Performance
While AISI 410 stainless steel isn’t as corrosion-resistant as austenitic grades like 304, it performs well in mild environments.
Key Corrosion Behaviors
- 410 atmospheric corrosion: Excellent resistance to dry and slightly humid air. It’s often used for outdoor fixtures like handrails that don’t face saltwater exposure.
- 410 mild chloride resistance: Can handle low chloride levels (e.g., indoor plumbing) but may rust in saltwater or coastal areas.
- 410 oxidation resistance up to 650 °C: Maintains strength and resists scaling in high-temperature environments like automotive exhaust systems.
- 410 stress corrosion cracking limits: Low risk of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in most applications, but avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures and chlorides together.
Testing & Improvement Methods
- 410 salt spray test ASTM B117: A common test to measure corrosion resistance. In this test, AISI 410 typically shows minimal rust after 24–48 hours (vs. 304’s 100+ hours).
- 410 passivation treatment: Applying a nitric acid solution creates a thicker chromium oxide layer, boosting corrosion resistance by 30–50%.
- 410 rust prevention methods: Regular cleaning, painting, or using a protective coating can extend its life in harsh environments.
Case Study: A food processing plant uses AISI 410 stainless steel for mixing bowls. They use passivation treatment to prevent rust from food acids (like tomato sauce) and clean the bowls daily—resulting in a 5-year service life.
3. Heat Treatment & Microstructure Control
One of the biggest advantages of AISI 410 stainless steel is its ability to be heat-treated to adjust hardness and strength.
Common Heat Treatment Processes
| Process | Temperature | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 410 annealing 650–760 °C | 650–760 °C (slow cool) | Reduces hardness, improves machinability |
| 410 quench-hardening 925–1010 °C oil | 925–1010 °C (oil quench) | Forms hard martensite, increases strength |
| 410 tempering 200–700 °C | 200–700 °C (air cool) | Reduces brittleness, adjusts hardness |
Critical Considerations
- 410 hardness vs. tempering curve: Higher tempering temperatures (600–700 °C) lower hardness (to 150–180 HB) but increase toughness. Lower temperatures (200–300 °C) keep hardness high (200–220 HB) for wear-resistant parts.
- 410 embrittlement at 475 °C: Avoid holding the metal at 400–500 °C for long—this causes “475 °C embrittlement,” making it brittle.
- 410 grain size control: Using lower annealing temperatures (650–700 °C) keeps grain sizes small, improving strength.
Example: A knife manufacturer uses 410 quench-hardening (950 °C oil quench) to harden blade edges, then tempers at 250 °C to keep the blade sharp but not brittle. This process gives their cutlery a 58–60 HRC hardness—perfect for everyday use.
4. Welding, Fabrication & Machining Guidelines
Working with AISI 410 stainless steel requires specific techniques to avoid cracks and maintain properties.
Welding Tips
- 410 weldability precautions: Welding can cause brittleness, so preheating and post-weld heat treatment are critical.
- 410 preheat 200–300 °C: Preheating prevents cold cracking by slowing the cooling rate.
- 410 post-weld tempering 650 °C: Tempering after welding reduces residual stress and restores ductility.
- 410 filler metal ER410 or ER410NiMo: These fillers match the base metal’s composition, ensuring strong, corrosion-resistant welds.
- 410 hydrogen cracking risk: Use low-hydrogen electrodes and dry the metal before welding to avoid hydrogen cracks.
Machining & Fabrication
- 410 machining speeds and feeds: Use slower speeds (100–200 m/min for turning) and higher feeds (0.1–0.2 mm/rev) than with 304. This reduces tool wear.
- 410 tool life carbide inserts: Carbide tools last 2–3x longer than high-speed steel (HSS) when machining AISI 410.
- 410 formability limits: It can be bent up to 90° without cracking (for thin sheets), but cold working may increase hardness—anneal if further forming is needed.
- 410 distortion control techniques: Use clamps during welding and uniform heating during heat treatment to minimize distortion.
Case Study: An aerospace supplier welds AISI 410 stainless steel turbine blades. They follow a strict process: preheat to 250 °C, weld with ER410 filler, and temper at 650 °C. This results in welds with 90% of the base metal’s strength—meeting aerospace standards.
5. Product Forms, Sizes & Supply Chain
AISI 410 stainless steel is available in many forms to suit different applications.
Common Product Forms
- 410 stainless steel plate thicknesses: 3–100 mm (used for heavy machinery parts)
- 410 sheet gauge chart: 24 gauge (0.71 mm) to 10 gauge (3.5 mm) (used for kitchen utensils)
- 410 round bar stock: Diameters 6–200 mm (used for pump shafts and fasteners)
- 410 seamless pipe ASTM A268: Sizes ½–12 inches (used for chemical processing lines)
- 410 forged fittings: Elbows, tees, and flanges (used in plumbing systems)
- 410 coil slit widths: 100–1500 mm (used for mass-produced parts like brackets)
Supply Chain Tips
- 410 hollow bar suppliers: Look for suppliers with ISO 9001 certification to ensure quality.
- 410 threaded rod grades: Most threaded rods are heat-treated to 150–180 HB for strength.
- 410 custom forgings: Many suppliers offer custom forging for complex parts (e.g., firearm components) with lead times of 2–4 weeks.
6. Industry Applications & Case Studies
AISI 410 stainless steel is used in dozens of industries thanks to its versatility.
Key Applications
- 410 turbine blades: Resists high temperatures (up to 650 °C) and has the strength to handle rotational forces.
- 410 pump shafts: Withstands wear and mild corrosion in water and oil systems.
- 410 valve components: Hard enough to resist leakage and durable in high-pressure pipes.
- 410 cutlery blades: Sharpens easily and holds an edge well.
- 410 surgical instruments: Biocompatible and easy to sterilize (used for scalpels and forceps).
- 410 firearm parts: Strong and impact-resistant (used for barrels and receivers).
- 410 mining equipment liners: Resists abrasion from rocks and minerals.
- 410 automotive exhaust flanges: Handles high temperatures and mild corrosion from exhaust gases.
Real-World Example: A car manufacturer uses AISI 410 stainless steel for exhaust flanges. The flanges need to resist 600 °C temperatures and road salt—AISI 410’s oxidation resistance and mild chloride resistance make it ideal. They’ve tested the flanges for 100,000 miles with no rust or cracking.
Yigu Technology’s Perspective on AISI 410 Stainless Steel
At Yigu Technology, we’ve supplied AISI 410 stainless steel to clients in automotive, medical, and machinery industries for over a decade. We find its heat-treatable properties and cost-effectiveness make it a go-to for parts that need both strength and mild corrosion resistance—like pump shafts and surgical tools. We always recommend passivation treatment for clients in food or chemical sectors to boost durability. Our team also provides custom cutting and heat treatment services to ensure the material meets each project’s exact needs.
FAQ About AISI 410 Stainless Steel
- Is AISI 410 stainless steel suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, but only in dry or slightly humid areas. It has good atmospheric corrosion resistance but may rust in coastal (high-salt) environments. Use passivation treatment or a coating for longer outdoor life. - Can AISI 410 be welded to other stainless steel grades?
Yes, but use a compatible filler. For example, weld it to 304 with ER309 filler (which has more chromium and nickel). Always preheat (200–300 °C) and post-weld temper (650 °C) to avoid cracks. - What’s the difference between AISI 410 and 304 stainless steel?
AISI 410 is martensitic (heat-treatable, no nickel, moderate corrosion resistance), while 304 is austenitic (non-heat-treatable, 8% nickel, high corrosion resistance). 410 is stronger and cheaper, while 304 is better for harsh environments.
