3Cr13
Data verified3Cr13 (new designation 30Cr13) is the higher-carbon 420-family stainless of GB/T 1220 — the volume Chinese grade for knife blades, scissors and wear parts needing 40+ HRC with stainless behavior.
Chemical composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 0.26–0.35 |
| Si | ≤1.00 |
| Mn | ≤1.00 |
| P | ≤0.040 |
| S | ≤0.030 |
| Cr | 12.00–14.00 |
| Ni | ≤0.60 |
Weight percent, per the governing standard ranges. Actual values per heat are on the mill certificate.
Properties
| Delivery condition | Annealed |
| Tensile strength | ≥735 MPa (Q&T, GB/T 1220) |
| Hardness (hardened) | 40–48 HRC typical |
| Density | 7.70 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic | Yes |
Heat treatment
Anneal 800–900 °C slow cool; quench 1000–1050 °C oil; temper 200–300 °C for blade hardness.
Equivalent grades
| Standard | Designation |
|---|---|
| din | 1.4028 (X30Cr13) |
| aisi | 420 (high-carbon type) |
| jis | SUS420J2 (near) |
| gb | 3Cr13 (GB/T 1220) / 30Cr13 (GB/T 20878) |
Compare side by side: 3Cr13 vs 420
Equivalents overlap in chemistry and use but are not always identical — see our equivalents guide before substituting in certified designs.
Applications & Processing
Applications: Knife and scissor blades, valve parts, springs, hand tools, medical instruments.
Processing: Hardens higher than 2Cr13 thanks to 0.26–0.35% C; corrosion resistance is best hardened, tempered and polished.
FAQ
- 2Cr13 vs 3Cr13 for a blade?
- 3Cr13 — the extra carbon (0.26–0.35% vs 0.16–0.25%) buys several points of HRC and edge life. 2Cr13 is the tougher Q&T engineering choice for shafts and fasteners.
Need 3Cr13 from stock?
Steel.Wiki is sponsored by Shenzhen NewAsia Special Steel (Nasteel), a special-steel stockholder in Shenzhen stocking mold, tool and alloy steels with EN 10204 3.1 certification.
Ask for a quotationVisit NasteelSource: GB/T 1220 / GB/T 20878 published ranges · Last updated 2026-11-03. Data is indicative — verify critical values against the governing standard and mill certificate before use.
