Hardness

The hardness of a material describes its resistance to penetration by a harder body, which manifests itself in its ability to resist deformation such as scratches, cuts or abrasion. In stainless steel technology, hardness is a decisive criterion for selecting the appropriate material for specific applications. The hardness of stainless steel can vary depending on the alloy and heat treatment. For example, the hardness of stainless steel 1.4501 (X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4) is a maximum of 270 HB (Brinell hardness).

Various test methods are used to determine hardness, including the Brinell, Rockwell and Vickers methods. These tests provide comparable values that help in selecting the appropriate stainless steel for specific applications.

Knowing the hardness of a stainless steel is essential for assessing its suitability for specific applications and ensuring the desired performance and durability.

Material number	Designation	Max. hardness (HB)
1.4301	X5CrNi18-10	215
1.4571	X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2	215
1.4404	X2CrNiMo17-12-2	215
1.4541	X6CrNiTi18-10	215
1.4539	X1NiCrMoCu25-20-5	220
1.4501	X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4	270
1.4462	X2CrNiMoN22-5-3	290
1.4529	X1NiCrMoCuN25-20-7	230
1.4828	X15CrNiSi20-12	215
1.4410	X2CrNiMoN25-7-4	310
1.4435	X2CrNiMo18-14-3	215
1.4439	X2CrNiMoN17-13-5	215
1.4841	X15CrNiSi25-20	220
1.4162	X2CrMnNiN21-5-1	290