Martensitic stainless steels, as is the case of quenched and tempered steels, can be tempered. For this reason the products can be provided in both the annealed state (a treatment that improves their machinability and deformability) and in the quenched and tempered state (which instead enhances their mechanical strength and corrosion resistance characteristics).
In order to achieve high surface hardness values, it is finally possible to subject these steels also to induction hardening after chip removal machining. As with the other steels, the versions with the addition of sulfur lend themselves more easily to machining by chip removal.
Basic martensitic steel with a low carbon content, a characteristic that on one hand limits temperability and mechanical characteristics after tempering, and on the other increases versatility. Suitable for all those fields in which very high mechanical characteristics are not required. Corrosion resistance sufficient for non-demanding applications.
Steel similar to the previous one; the addition of sulfur improves machinability by chip removal, but reduces resistance to corrosion, which in any case is improved with the material at the quenched and tempered state.
Reference SheetProbably the most popular of the martensitic stainless steels, it has a higher carbon content than the previous type, and combines good corrosion resistance, good deformability at the annealed state and good temperability. Used for pump shafts, electric motor shafts, tools and cutlery.
Reference SheetMartensitic steel with low temperability. The addition of sulfur makes this type widely used for mechanical machining with chip removal, also without the quenching and tempering treatment. The resistance to corrosion is limited due to the presence of sulfur, but is better in any case with respect to the 416 type thanks to the addition of molybdenum.
Reference SheetMartensitic steel with highest carbon content of all 400 series stainless steels. Hardenability to 60Rc. Corrosion resistance increases with hardness. Excellent resistance go wear. Used as bearing steel valves, knives and medical applications.