AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate | UNS S44002 | 440A Cutlery Grade
What is AISI 440A Stainless Steel?
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AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate | UNS S44002 | 440A Cutlery Grade
AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate | UNS S44002 | 440A Cutlery Grade
Brief Description
AISI 440A is the lowest-carbon grade in the 440 high-carbon martensitic family. With 16–18% Cr and 0.60–0.75% C, it can be hardened for cutlery and wear parts while offering better corrosion resistance than 420. SHH STEEL supplies AISI 440A / UNS S44002 as China steel mill-Direct Supply with competitive mill pricing and full certification.
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AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate | UNS S44002 | 440A Cutlery Grade – SHH STEEL
SEO Keywords
AISI 440A, AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate, UNS S44002, 440A stainless steel, 440A cutlery steel, SUS440A, 440A China steel mill-Direct Supply
SEO Description
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate as China steel mill-Direct Supply. 16–18% Cr high-carbon martensitic grade for cutlery and wear parts. Competitive mill price, fast delivery and full MTCs. Contact us now.
General Description
As a professional China steel mill-Direct Supply and stainless steel plate supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate.
AISI 440A is widely known and searched under many different names and designations, including AISI 440A, UNS S44002, 440A stainless steel, 440A stainless steel plate, 440A cutlery steel, SUS440A and high-carbon 16–18% Cr 440A. All these names refer to the lowest-carbon member of the 440A / 440B / 440C family.
AISI 440A contains 16.0–18.0% chromium with 0.60–0.75% carbon. Chromium is much higher than in A240 410 or 420, so corrosion resistance after hardening is better. Carbon is high enough for substantial hardness, but lower than 440B and 440C, so 440A is easier to grind and slightly tougher than 440C. The grade is magnetic and is normally supplied annealed for later heat treatment.
Typical uses include cutlery, surgical tools, wear plates, valve parts and other components that must be hardened. Do not confuse 440A with ferritic A240 430, which has similar chromium but cannot be hardened.
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 440A as true China steel mill-Direct Supply, sourcing directly from major Chinese stainless steel mills. This model delivers competitive mill pricing, consistent quality, complete heat traceability and reliable delivery.
AISI 440A is frequently compared with A240 410, A240 410S, A240 430, A240 429, a240 304 and a240 316l. SHH STEEL provides technical support to help customers choose the most appropriate grade.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | AISI 440A / UNS S44002 | Confirmed |
| Related Standards | ASTM A276 related, JIS SUS440A | Available |
| Product Form | Plate, Sheet, and heat-treatable flat products | Available |
| Delivery Condition | Annealed (hardened + tempered on request) | Standard annealed |
| Thickness Range | 1 mm – 50 mm (thicker available on request) | Custom sizes supported |
| Width | Up to 1500 mm | Available |
| Length | Up to 6000 mm or cut-to-length | Available |
| Surface Finish | No.1, 2B, ground / polished as specified | Available |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / Mill Test Certificate | Available |
SHH STEEL can supply AISI 440A dual-certified to the required designation when specified by the project. Please confirm 440A, 440B or 440C before production.
Chemical Composition
Typical Chemical Composition of AISI 440A (UNS S44002):
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.60 – 0.75 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.00 – 18.00 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | ≤ 0.75 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
The defining features of AISI 440A are 16–18% chromium and 0.60–0.75% carbon. This is the lowest carbon of the 440 series. 440B is 0.75–0.95% C and 440C is 0.95–1.20% C. SHH STEEL carefully controls carbon so the grade hardens consistently without being confused with 440B or 440C.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition (typical values)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Soft annealed for machining |
| Formability | Limited, better than 440C |
| Magnetism | Magnetic |
After quench and temper, AISI 440A can reach approximately 55–58 HRC, depending on exact carbon and tempering temperature. Maximum hardness is lower than 440C, but toughness and grindability are better. SHH STEEL normally supplies plate in the annealed condition unless a hardened-and-tempered condition is specified.
Physical Properties
Density is approximately 7.70–7.75 g/cm³. Melting range is approximately 1370–1480°C. The grade is magnetic in all common heat-treated conditions.
Material Comparison
| Grade | UNS | Carbon (%) | Typical Max Hardness | Typical Preference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 420 | S42000 | ≥ 0.15 | Medium-high | General cutlery / tools |
| AISI 440A | S44002 | 0.60–0.75 | High | Cutlery needing toughness + corrosion |
| AISI 440B | S44003 | 0.75–0.95 | Higher | Intermediate 440 hardness |
| AISI 440C | S44004 | 0.95–1.20 | Highest | Bearings, highest wear / hardness |
| AISI 410 | S41000 | ≤ 0.15 | Moderate | Valves and general 12% Cr |
| AISI 430 | S43000 | ≤ 0.12 | Not hardenable | Appliances and ferritic plate |
AISI 440A is selected when the part needs high hardness and better corrosion resistance than 420, without the maximum brittleness of 440C. For bearings and maximum wear, 440C is preferred. For welded plate, SHH STEEL recommends A240 410S or A240 430.
Corrosion Resistance
AISI 440A offers better corrosion resistance than 410 and 420 after hardening because of 16–18% chromium. It performs well in mild atmospheres, fresh water and many food-contact cutlery environments when polished and passivated.
It is not equivalent to a240 304 or a240 316l in chloride or acid service. Maximum corrosion resistance is obtained in the hardened, polished and passivated condition, not in the annealed condition.
Weldability
AISI 440A has poor weldability because of high carbon. The heat-affected zone becomes very hard and crack-sensitive. Welding is generally avoided.
If joining is required, SHH STEEL recommends mechanical fastening or using a lower-carbon grade such as A240 410S for welded sections.
Heat Treatment
AISI 440A is normally supplied in the annealed condition by SHH STEEL and is designed to be hardened by quench and temper.
Typical hardening is performed from about 1010–1065°C, followed by oil or air cooling and tempering to the required hardness. Sub-zero treatment is sometimes used to reduce retained austenite. SHH STEEL can supply annealed plate or discuss hardened-and-tempered supply when the drawing requires it.
Surface Finishes
| Finish | Description | Typical Use / Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| No.1 | Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled | AISI 440A No.1 – industrial plate |
| 2B | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed | AISI 440A 2B – thinner plate |
| Ground / Polished | Precision ground or polished | AISI 440A polished – cutlery and tool blanks |
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 440A in the finish required by the cutlery or wear-part drawing.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for AISI 440A plate supplied by SHH STEEL generally conform to ASTM A480 practices.
Typical available size range is thickness 1 mm – 50 mm, width up to 1500 mm, and length up to 6000 mm or cut-to-length. SHH STEEL provides precise dimensional control and can support tighter tolerances when required.
Equivalent Material Grades
| Grade / Designation | Standard / Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AISI 440A | AISI | Main commercial keyword |
| UNS S44002 | Unified Numbering System | Primary UNS designation |
| SUS440A | JIS (Japan) | Japanese equivalent |
| Related high-C 17% Cr | EN / GB | Closest national grades |
| Related 440B / 440C | Multiple | Higher-carbon 440 variants |
Related grades for comparison include A240 410, A240 410S, A240 430, A240 429, a240 304 and a240 316l.
Applications
AISI 440A is selected for hardened cutlery and wear parts that need better corrosion resistance than 420. Typical applications of AISI 440A include:
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components / Equipment (with keywords) |
|---|---|
| Cutlery | AISI 440A knife blades and kitchen tools |
| Medical & Dental | AISI 440A instruments requiring hardness plus corrosion resistance |
| Wear Parts | AISI 440A guides, blades and wear plates |
| Valves & Pumps | AISI 440A seats and hardened small components |
| General Engineering | AISI 440A tool blanks and machined wear parts |
| Industrial Equipment | UNS S44002 plate for subsequent hardening |
SHH STEEL supplies AISI 440A for these heat-treatable applications with consistent quality. For related industry solutions, see our equipment manufacturing and machinery industry pages. Supporting services include steel cutting services, cnc steel machining services and worldwide shipping service.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a China steel mill-Direct Supply specializing in stainless steel plate and heat-treatable grades. By working directly with major Chinese stainless steel mills, SHH STEEL supplies AISI 440A with the following advantages:
- Genuine China steel mill-Direct Supply pricing
- Consistent quality and complete heat traceability
- Full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1)
- Carbon-controlled AISI 440A material optimized for cutlery hardness plus toughness
- Flexible dimensions and finishes (including AISI 440A No.1, AISI 440A 2B and AISI 440A polished)
- Technical support for selection among AISI 420, 440A, 440B and 440C
- Value-added services including steel cutting services, cnc steel machining services and worldwide shipping service
For more information about our company and full product range, please visit China steel Mill Agent-SHH STEEL.
FAQ
- What are the other common names for AISI 440A?AISI 440A is also known as UNS S44002, 440A cutlery steel and SUS440A. SHH STEEL can certify the required designation.
- What is the difference between AISI 440A, 440B and 440C?Carbon increases from 440A to 440C. 440A is the toughest and easiest to grind; 440C reaches the highest hardness and wear resistance. SHH STEEL supplies the exact 440 grade named on the purchase order.
- What is the difference between AISI 440A and AISI 420?440A has much higher chromium and higher carbon, so it hardens more and resists corrosion better after heat treatment. SHH STEEL recommends 440A for higher-end cutlery.
- Can AISI 440A be hardened?Yes. That is its main purpose. SHH STEEL normally supplies annealed plate unless a hardened condition is specified.
- Is AISI 440A magnetic?Yes. It is magnetic in both the annealed and hardened conditions.
- What is the density of AISI 440A?Approximately 7.70–7.75 g/cm³. SHH STEEL provides mill certificates confirming chemistry and mechanical properties.
- Does SHH STEEL supply dual-certified AISI 440A / UNS S44002 material?Yes, SHH STEEL commonly supplies dual-certified material upon request.
Conclusion
AISI 440A Stainless Steel Plate is the lowest-carbon grade in the 440 high-carbon martensitic family. It is chosen for cutlery and wear parts that need high hardness, better corrosion resistance than 420, and more toughness than 440C.
As a professional China steel mill-Direct Supply, SHH STEEL provides high-quality AISI 440A / UNS S44002 material with competitive pricing, full certification and complete technical support.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock availability, confirmation of 440A vs 440B vs 440C, surface finish options (including AISI 440A No.1, AISI 440A 2B and AISI 440A polished), or a competitive quotation.
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