What is SUS 410 material?

SUS 410 is a grade of stainless steel under the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) specification, which refers to a martensitic stainless steel. Martensitic steels are characterized by their hardness, strength, and magnetic properties, making them suitable for a variety of applications where these qualities are important.

Key Characteristics of SUS 410:
- Composition: SUS 410 contains a significant amount of chromium (around 11-13%), which gives it the basic corrosion resistance of stainless steel. It is a carbon steel with about 0.15-0.60% carbon content. The chromium content provides corrosion resistance, but since it is not as high as in austenitic stainless steels (like SUS 304 or SUS 316), its corrosion resistance is lower. However, it still offers good resistance to mild corrosion in environments that are not highly aggressive.

- Hardness: SUS 410 can be heat-treated to improve its hardness and wear resistance. It can achieve a high level of hardness when quenched and tempered, which makes it suitable for applications like cutting tools, valves, springs, and wear-resistant parts. The steel is capable of attaining a hardness of up to 40 HRC after heat treatment.

- Magnetic Properties: Unlike austenitic stainless steels, which are non-magnetic, SUS 410 is magnetic, due to its martensitic structure. This characteristic can be beneficial in applications where magnetic properties are required, such as in electrical equipment and magnetic devices.

- Corrosion Resistance: While SUS 410 does offer some corrosion resistance due to the chromium content, it is less resistant to corrosion compared to austenitic stainless steels. It can handle exposure to mildly corrosive environments, but for more aggressive conditions (like chloride exposure or acidic environments), other grades like SUS 304 or SUS 316 would be more suitable.

- Weldability and Machinability: SUS 410 is relatively easy to machine but welding can be challenging due to the possibility of cracking, especially in the heat-affected zone. Preheating and post-weld heat treatment are recommended to reduce the risk of cracking during welding. It can be cold worked, but care should be taken to avoid excessive stress, which can result in cracking.

Applications of SUS 410:
- Cutting tools: Due to its ability to be hardened, SUS 410 is commonly used in the production of tools that require wear resistance and hardness, such as blades, knives, and drills.
- Valves and pumps: The material's combination of hardness and corrosion resistance makes it suitable for valve seats, pump parts, and other industrial components.
- Springs and fasteners: SUS 410 is often used for manufacturing springs, bolts, and nuts that are subjected to high stress and require both strength and resilience.
- Magnetic applications: Due to its magnetic properties, it is used in the manufacturing of magnetic equipment and parts that need to interact with magnetic fields.
- Heat-resistant applications: SUS 410 has some resistance to heat, making it suitable for components exposed to moderate temperatures, such as heat exchangers and furnace parts.

Summary:
SUS 410 is a martensitic stainless steel with moderate corrosion resistance and high hardness potential. It is commonly used for applications requiring strength, wear resistance, and magnetic properties, such as cutting tools, valves, springs, and heat-resistant parts. Although it offers some corrosion resistance, it is best suited for mildly corrosive environments and is less resistant to corrosion than austenitic grades like SUS 304 or SUS 316.