| Grade 440C is capable of attaining, after heat treatment, the highest strength, hardness and wear resistance of all the stainless alloys. Its very high carbon content is responsible for these characteristics, which make 440C particularly suited to such applications as ball bearings and valve parts. Grades 440A and 440B are identical except for slightly lower carbon contents (0.60 - 0.75% and 0.75 - 0.95% respectively); these have lower attainable hardnesses but slightly higher corrosion resistances. Although all three versions of this grade are standard grades, in practice 440C is more available than the A or B variants. A free-machining variant 440F (UNS S44020) also exists, with the same high carbon content as 440C. Again this grade is not readily available in Australia. Martensitic stainless steels are optimised for high hardness, and other properties are to some degree compromised. Fabrication must be by methods that allow for poor weldability and usually also allow for a final harden and temper heat treatment. Corrosion resistance is lower than the common austenitic grades, and their useful operating temperature range is limited by their loss of ductility at sub-zero temperatures and loss of strength by over-tempering at elevated temperatures. Key Properties These properties are specified for bar product in ASTM A276. Similar but not necessarily identical properties are specified for other products such as plate and forgings in their respective specifications. Composition Table 1. Composition ranges for 440 grade stainless steels. | | | | | | | | | | | | 440A | min. max. | 0.65 0.75 | - 1.00 | - 1.00 | - 0.040 | - 0.030 | 16.00 18.00 | - 0.75 | - | - | | 440B | min. max. | 0.75 0.95 | - 1.00 | - 1.00 | - 0.040 | - 0.030 | 16.00 18.00 | - 0.75 | - | - | | 440C | min. max. | 0.95 1.20 | - 1.00 | - 1.00 | - 0.040 | - 0.030 | 16.00 18.00 | - 0.75 | - | - | Mechanical Properties Table 2. Mechanical properties of 440C grade stainless steels. | | | | | | | | Annealed* | 758 | 448 | 14 | 269HB max# | - | | 204 | 2030 | 1900 | 4 | 59 | 9 | | 260 | 1960 | 1830 | 4 | 57 | 9 | | 316 | 1860 | 1740 | 4 | 56 | 9 | | 371 | 1790 | 1660 | 4 | 56 | 9 | | * Annealed properties are typical for Condition A of ASTM A276 # Brinell Hardness is ASTM A276 specified maximum for annealed 440A, B and C. | Physical Properties Table 3. Typical physical properties for 440 grade stainless steels. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 440A/B/C | 7650 | 200 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 11.7 | 24.2 | - | 460 | 600 | Grade Specification Comparison Table 4. Grade specifications for 440 grade stainless steels. | | | | | | | | | | | | | 440A | S44002 | | | - | - | | SUS 440A | | 440B | S44003 | | | 1.4112 | X90CrMoV18 | | SUS 440B | | 440C | S44004 | - | - | 1.4125 | X105CrMo17 | - | SUS 440C | | These comparisons are approximate only. The list is intended as a comparison of functionally similar materials not as a schedule of contractual equivalents. If exact equivalents are needed original specifications must be consulted. | Possible Alternative Grades Table 5. Possible alternative grades to 440 stainless steel. | | | | 440A/B | Slightly softer and more corrosion resistant grade needed | | 440F | High machinability required, with same hardness and hardenability as 440C | | 420 | Lower strength and hardness needed than any of the 440 grades | | 416 | Higher machinability required, and the much lower hardness and strength is still adequate | Corrosion Resistance Good resistance to the atmosphere, fresh water, foods, alkalies and mild acids. Best resistance in the hardened and tempered and passivated condition. A smooth polished surface also assists. The corrosion resistance of grade 440C approximates that of grade 304 in many environments. Heat Resistance Not recommended for use in temperatures above the relevant tempering temperature, because of reduction in mechanical properties by over-tempering. Heat Treatment Annealing - Full anneal - 850-900°C, slow furnace cool to about 600°C and then air cool. Sub-critical Annealing - 735-785°C and slow furnace cool. Hardening - Heat to 1010-1065°C, followed by quenching in warm oil or air. Oil quenching is necessary for heavy sections. Immediately temper at 150-370°C to obtain a wide variety of hardness values and mechanical properties as indicated in the accompanying table. Tempering in the range 425-565°C is to be avoided because of reduced impact resistance and corrosion resistance. Tempering in the range 590-675°C results in lower hardness (the product become machinable) and high impact resistance. Welding If welding is necessary pre-heat at 250°C and follow welding with a full anneal. Grade 420 filler will give a high hardness weld (although not as high as the 440C), but 309 or 310 will produce soft welds with higher ductility. Machining In the annealed condition this grade is relatively easily machined; approximately the same as for high speed steel. Chips are tough and stringy so chip breakers are important. If these grades are hardened machining becomes more difficult and probably impossible. Applications Typical applications include: · Rolling element bearings · Valve seats · High quality knife blades · Surgical instruments · Chisels. | 
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