# X70CrMo15 (EN 1.4109) Open-Die Forgings

Martensitic stainless steel forgings, melted and forged by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. in Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China. Last reviewed 10 October 2026.

**X70CrMo15, EN material number 1.4109, is a high-carbon chromium-molybdenum martensitic stainless steel listed in EN 10088-3, with about 0.60 to 0.75 % carbon, 14.0 to 16.0 % chromium and 0.40 to 0.80 % molybdenum.**

It hardens to high hardness with moderate corrosion resistance. Reference works describe it as a hardenable steel for cutting tools, naming industrial butchers knives and centrifugal knives, and for piston rings. Its pitting resistance equivalent is about 17, so it suits mildly corrosive duty where hardness and wear resistance set the design, not seawater or sour service.

**Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.** melts and forges 1.4109 on one site at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. Forms include round, flat and square bar, hollow bar and sleeves, seamless rolled rings, discs, shafts and valve seat rings. Minimum order 10 kg, lead time 20 to 60 days, EN 10204 3.1 certificate with every heat.

## X70CrMo15 at a glance

| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| EN designation | X70CrMo15 |
| EN material number | 1.4109 |
| Standard | EN 10088-3, listed in EN 10088-1 |
| Classification | Martensitic stainless steel, high-carbon special grade |
| Nearest US grade | AISI 440A, UNS S44002 (approximate) |
| Density | 7.7 g/cm3, about 480 lb/ft3 |
| Soft annealed | 280 HB max., about 250 HB typical |
| Hot working | 1038 to 1204 C, stop above 927 C |
| Magnetic response | Ferromagnetic in every condition |
| Trade names | REMANIT 4109, BGH 4109, CHRONIMO 1.4109, SINOXX 4109 |
| Manufacturer | Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. |

## What is X70CrMo15?

X70CrMo15 is the EN name and 1.4109 is the material number for the same steel. A drawing calling for one is satisfied by the other.

The chemistry does three jobs. Carbon at 0.60 to 0.75 % sets the hardness the steel can reach. Chromium at 14.0 to 16.0 % gives stainless behaviour and hardenability. Molybdenum at 0.40 to 0.80 % improves temper resistance and pitting behaviour a little.

What separates 1.4109 from the higher-carbon grades in the same family is machinability. It gives up peak hardness and gains workability, which is why it appears in knife blades, piston rings and bushings rather than in the hardest bearing races.

## Chemical composition of X70CrMo15, weight %

| Element | X70CrMo15 / 1.4109 | AISI 440A / UNS S44002 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.60 to 0.75 | 0.60 to 0.75 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 14.0 to 16.0 | 16.0 to 18.0 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.40 to 0.80 | max. 0.75 |
| Manganese (Mn) | max. 1.00 | max. 1.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | max. 0.70 | max. 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | max. 0.040 | max. 0.040 |
| Sulphur (S) | max. 0.015 | max. 0.030 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance, about 80.7 to 85 | Balance |

Reference works do not agree on the silicon and sulphur ceilings for 1.4109, and the chromium band differs from 440A. State the standard and its revision on the purchase order. Every heat ships with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate carrying the actual ladle analysis.

## Is X70CrMo15 the same as 440A?

Close, but not identical. Both specify 0.60 to 0.75 % carbon. EN 10088-3 gives 1.4109 a chromium range of 14.0 to 16.0 % while AISI 440A specifies 16.0 to 18.0 %, and molybdenum is a defined 0.40 to 0.80 % for 1.4109 against max. 0.75 % for 440A. Treat 440A as the nearest grade, not a drop-in substitute.

## X70CrMo15 equivalent grades

| Country or system | Designation | Standard | Closeness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | X70CrMo15, 1.4109 | EN 10088-1, EN 10088-3 | Reference grade |
| United States | 440A, UNS S44002 | ASTM A276, ASTM F899, AMS-QQ-S-763 | Nearest grade, chromium band differs |
| Japan | SUS 440A | JIS G 4303, G 4304, G 4305 | Listed equivalent |
| France | Z 70 CD 14 | NF A 35-586 | Listed equivalent |
| Germany, older usage | X 65 CrMo 14 | DIN reference works | Described as comparable |

Higher-carbon steps in the same family, also forged here: X90CrMoV18 (1.4112, 440B type) and X105CrMo17 (1.4125, 440C type).

## Mechanical properties, soft annealed

| Property | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness | max. 280 HB, about 250 HB typical | - |
| Tensile strength | about 770 MPa | about 110 ksi |
| Yield strength, 0.2 % proof | about 420 MPa | about 61 ksi |
| Elongation at break | about 19 % | about 19 % |
| Young's modulus | about 200 GPa | about 28 x 10^6 psi |
| Shear modulus | about 76 GPa | about 11 x 10^6 psi |
| Shear strength | about 480 MPa | about 70 ksi |
| Fatigue strength | about 270 MPa | about 39 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.28 | 0.28 |

Hardened and low-tempered 440-class steels are characterised by hardness above 55 HRC.

## Physical properties

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.7 g/cm3 |
| Melting onset, solidus | about 1400 C |
| Melting completion, liquidus | about 1440 C |
| Thermal conductivity | about 30 W/m-K |
| Specific heat capacity | about 480 J/kg-K |
| Thermal expansion | about 10 um/m-K |
| Electrical conductivity | about 2.7 % IACS |
| PREN | about 17 |
| Service ceiling, corrosion | about 390 C |
| Service ceiling, mechanical | about 820 C |

## Forging X70CrMo15

Preheat to about 760 C, then raise slowly into the hot working range of 1038 to 1204 C. Do not work the material below about 927 C. Cool slowly after forging and fully anneal before machining.

High carbon makes this grade intolerant of a cold finish and of fast cooling straight off the press, which is a good reason to buy the part already forged rather than buy stock and forge it locally.

## Heat treatment of X70CrMo15

| Operation | Temperature | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Full annealing | 850 to 900 C | Slow furnace cool to about 600 C, then air cool |
| Sub-critical annealing | 735 to 785 C | Slow furnace cool |
| Hardening | 1010 to 1065 C | Air or oil quench, oil for heavy sections |
| Tempering | 150 to 370 C | High hardness retained |
| Range to avoid | 425 to 565 C | Corrosion and impact resistance both drop |
| High tempering | 590 to 675 C | Impact resistance gained, hardness lost |

Machine the steel annealed; after hardening it is very difficult to cut. Welding is not recommended because the steel air hardens. Where unavoidable, preheat to about 250 to 260 C and post-weld heat treat with slow furnace cooling. Grade 420 filler gives a hard weld, 309 or 310 filler a softer and more ductile deposit.

## X70CrMo15 forged product forms

| Product form | Usual delivery condition | Sizing |
|---|---|---|
| Round bars and shafts | Soft annealed, or hardened and tempered | To drawing |
| Square, rectangular, flat and hex bars | Soft annealed | To drawing |
| Hollow bars, sleeves, bushings, cylinders | Soft annealed, or hardened and tempered | To drawing |
| Seamless rolled rings | Rough machined or finish machined | From OD 50 mm, to drawing |
| Discs, blocks and plates | Soft annealed | To drawing |
| Valve seats, seat rings, stems, nozzles | Hardened and tempered | To drawing |

| Supply term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1, 3.2 third-party on request |
| Testing | Ultrasonic to agreed class, hardness survey, PMI, dimensional report |
| Minimum order | 10 kg, no minimum piece count |
| Lead time | 20 to 60 days |
| Approvals | CCS, BV, DNV, LR, NK |
| Pricing | Quoted per drawing. Forged weight, grade and heat-treated condition set the price, so there is no list price for this grade. |

## Applications for X70CrMo15 forgings

Cutting tools and knife blades, centrifugal knives, piston rings, bearings and races, gauge blocks, moulds and dies, bushings and sleeves, surgical and dental instruments, measuring instruments, hardened valve seats and seat rings.

For seawater, chloride-bearing process streams or sour service, use duplex or austenitic grades instead: A182-F51, A182-F55 or 904L.

## The works

| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal name | Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. |
| Established | 1997 |
| Plant | No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China |
| Employees | 460, including 9 senior engineers, 32 intermediate engineers and 140 technicians |
| Melting | EF, LF, VOD, IF, VIM, VAR, ESR. 60 t maximum heat |
| Forging | 6,300 t open-die press, 6 m radial-axial ring mill, 30 t maximum single piece |
| Heat treatment | 14 furnaces, including two 15 m well furnaces for vertical quenching |
| Machining | Vertical lathes to 5,000 mm swing, horizontal lathes to 14,000 mm |
| Approvals | CCS, BV, DNV, LR, NK |
| Telephone | +86 189 2135 9659 |
| Email | sales@steelforgepieces.com |
| Page | https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/X70CrMo15.html |

## Frequently asked questions about X70CrMo15

### What is X70CrMo15 steel?

X70CrMo15, EN material number 1.4109, is a high-carbon chromium-molybdenum martensitic stainless steel listed in EN 10088-3, with about 0.60 to 0.75 % carbon, 14.0 to 16.0 % chromium and 0.40 to 0.80 % molybdenum. It hardens to high hardness and offers moderate corrosion resistance.

### Is X70CrMo15 the same as AISI 440A?

Close, but not identical. Both specify 0.60 to 0.75 % carbon, but EN 10088-3 gives 1.4109 a chromium range of 14.0 to 16.0 % while AISI 440A specifies 16.0 to 18.0 %. Molybdenum is a defined 0.40 to 0.80 % for 1.4109 against max. 0.75 % for 440A. Treat 440A as the nearest grade rather than a drop-in substitute.

### What hardness can X70CrMo15 reach?

Soft annealed material is supplied at max. 280 HB, around 250 HB typical. After hardening and low tempering, high-carbon martensitic stainless steels of the 440 family are characterised by hardness above 55 HRC.

### What is the forging temperature for X70CrMo15?

Preheat to about 760 C, then raise slowly into the hot working range of 1038 to 1204 C. Do not work the material below about 927 C. Cool slowly after forging and fully anneal before machining.

### How is X70CrMo15 heat treated?

Full anneal at 850 to 900 C with slow furnace cooling to about 600 C, then air cool. Sub-critical anneal at 735 to 785 C. Harden from 1010 to 1065 C with an air or oil quench. Temper at 150 to 370 C, and avoid the 425 to 565 C range.

### Can X70CrMo15 be welded?

Not recommended, because the steel air hardens. Where a weld cannot be avoided, preheat to about 250 to 260 C and post-weld heat treat with slow furnace cooling. Grade 420 filler gives a hard weld, 309 or 310 filler a softer and more ductile deposit.

### What are the equivalent grades of 1.4109?

AISI 440A and UNS S44002 in the United States, SUS 440A to JIS G 4303 in Japan, Z 70 CD 14 to NF A 35-586 in France, and X 65 CrMo 14, which reference works describe as comparable.

### Who supplies open-die forged X70CrMo15 in China?

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an integrated melting works and open-die forge at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. It forges 1.4109 bars, hollow bars, seamless rolled rings, discs, shafts and valve seat rings to drawing. Enquiries go to sales@steelforgepieces.com or +86 189 2135 9659.

## Request a quote for X70CrMo15 forgings

Send a drawing, or the four items below, and you will have a price and lead time back within one working day.

1. Grade and condition: X70CrMo15 soft annealed, or hardened and tempered to a hardness band.
2. Product form and finished dimensions, with machining allowance if known.
3. Quantity and required delivery date.
4. Testing and certification required, including ultrasonic class and any third-party inspection.

**Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.**
No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China
+86 189 2135 9659
sales@steelforgepieces.com

## Standards referenced

EN 10088-1; EN 10088-3; ISO 683-17; JIS G 4303, G 4304, G 4305; ASTM A276; ASTM F899; NF A 35-586; EN 10204.

Values are typical reference data for design guidance, not guaranteed properties. Contract properties are those written on the order and confirmed on the inspection certificate.

Cite this page: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. (2026). X70CrMo15 (EN 1.4109) open-die forgings: composition, heat treatment and product forms. Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China. https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/X70CrMo15.html