Stainless Steel 1.4116 · hardness band
Stainless Steel 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC
Properties of the H&T 50-52 HRC condition, compared with the other 1.4116 tempers.
Pick for large or impact-loaded blades, cleavers and machine knives where chipping must be avoided.
What is 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC?
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC is 1.4116 heat treated to H&T 50-52 HRC — pick for large or impact-loaded blades, cleavers and machine knives where chipping must be avoided. 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; H&T 50-52 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Easy to machine — 45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 96% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 50/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1.4116 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical14
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 50%.
Manufacturability7
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC's machinability is fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1.4116 tempers and conditions
1.4116 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1.4116 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultPick for blanking, stamping, machining and forging of blades before hardening.450 MPa yield · 240 HB
- H&T 56-58 HRCPick for thin kitchen/scalpel edges where wear resistance matters more than impact toughness.1,750 MPa yield · 57 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedStandard finished-blade condition: best balance of edge holding, toughness and corrosion resistance.1,650 MPa yield · 55 HRC
- H&T 50-52 HRCPick for large or impact-loaded blades, cleavers and machine knives where chipping must be avoided.1,450 MPa yield · 51 HRC
- Cold RolledPick when thin strip must hold flatness/temper for stamping small blades before hardening.750 MPa yield · 300 HB
Working with 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC
Is 1.4116 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with sharp carbide tools, rigid setups and flood coolant (≈45 % of 1212); after hardening, work by grinding/EDM only.
Can 1.4116 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use austenitic filler and post-weld temper.
Can 1.4116 be formed, bent or molded?
Blank, stamp and forge in the annealed condition (forge 1050–1100 °C, slow cool, then anneal ~800–850 °C); harden from 1020–1080 °C with oil/air quench and temper 150–250 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1.4116?
Grinds and polishes to a bright mirror finish; passivate or electropolish after grinding for best stainless behaviour, or apply PVD/DLC coatings below the tempering temperature.
1.4116 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.45 – 0.55 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Smax per EN 10088-3; some suppliers 0.030 max | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Cr | 14 – 15 | 14.5 |
| Mo | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.2 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC — frequently asked
What is 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC used for?
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC is typically used for kitchen and chef knives, pocket and folding knife blades, surgical and dental instruments, scissors and shears, food processing blades and scalpel and razor blades. In short: cutlery-grade German stainless.
What is the yield strength of 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC?
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, better than 84% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with sharp carbide tools, rigid setups and flood coolant (≈45 % of 1212); after hardening, work by grinding/EDM only.
Can 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use austenitic filler and post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC?
Grinds and polishes to a bright mirror finish; passivate or electropolish after grinding for best stainless behaviour, or apply PVD/DLC coatings below the tempering temperature.
Can 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Blank, stamp and forge in the annealed condition (forge 1050–1100 °C, slow cool, then anneal ~800–850 °C); harden from 1020–1080 °C with oil/air quench and temper 150–250 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC?
1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC?
Yes — 1.4116 H&T 50-52 HRC is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10088-1/-2/-3 Stainless steels — X50CrMoV15 (1.4116) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 1220 / 5Cr15MoV — SAC (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B / Vol.16 — Corrosion and Machining — ASM International (2005)
- Cutlery strip steel datasheets (1.4116 / X50CrMoV15) — European strip producers (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.