Why are SS 410 and SS 420 tubes and pipes the Backbone of Industrial Machinery

Published on 7 September, 2025

Walk into any busy factory and you’ll hear it the constant rhythm of machines. Motors whir, pumps push, gears grind. Behind all that movement, there’s something less obvious keeping everything together: the materials those parts are made from. For a vast number of applications, the material of choice is stainless steel, and more specifically, SS 410 and SS 420 pipes and tubes. They don’t usually get the spotlight, but they’ve been holding up industries for years.

 

What’s the Deal With 410 and 420?

 

Both 410 and 420 sit in the martensitic stainless steel family. Unlike the more popular 304 or 316 grades you see in kitchen sinks or railings, these can be heat-treated to become seriously hard.

 

410 is the dependable one, strong, affordable, and easy enough to work with. Its corrosion resistance isn’t top-class, but it’s plenty for many jobs.

 

420 is tougher. It’s sometimes called the “cutlery grade” because of how well it holds an edge. Think blades, surgical tools, or anything that has to stay sharp under stress.

 

Why Do Engineers Pick Them?

 

Because they last, that’s the simple answer. Heat treatment gives them impressive strength. They don’t wear down quickly, even when parts are moving against each other. And manufacturers like them, too; they machine well enough that you’re not wasting time and money shaping them.

 

Where They Show Up

 

1. Shafts and bolts inside machines that take heavy loads.

2. Knives, surgical instruments, and industrial cutters.

3. Pump and valve components are built to survive constant pressure.

4. Crankshafts and gears in cars, planes, and heavy equipment.

 

Side-by-Side Overview

 

Feature	SS 410	SS 420
Chromium & Carbon	11.5–13.5% Cr, ≤ 0.15% C	12–14% Cr, 0.15–0.40% C
Hardness (HRC)	35–45 after treatment	50–55 after hardening
Tensile Strength	450–750 MPa	600–800 MPa
Corrosion Resistance	Moderate	Slightly better than 410, below 304
Common Uses	Shafts, pump parts, fasteners	Surgical tools, blades, gears

 

Why Call Them the Backbone?

 

Machines don’t take holidays. They run day and night, often in tough conditions. The tubes/pipes inside, whether in a pump shaft or a gear, need to keep up. SS 410 and SS 420 do that without fuss. They’re strong, they last a long time, and they’re cheaper than some of the fancier stainless grades. That mix of durability and value is why so many industries still rely on them.

 

From workshop bolts to precision blades, these grades quietly keep industries in motion. Without them, downtime would be far more common, and costs would skyrocket.

 

If you’d like to explore more stainless steel solutions, start with our Home Page. For specific requirements, have a look at our SS Tubes and Pipes page online.