403 is a general-purpose martensitic stainless steel. It can be heat-treated to achieve high hardness and strength, making it suitable for turbine blades and cutlery.
Key Properties
Hardness: Can be hardened by heat treatment to high levels.
Strength: High tensile strength and wear resistance.
Corrosion: Moderate resistance; less than ferritic/austenitic grades.
Machinability: Good machinability in annealed condition.
Common Applications
Power Generation: Steam turbine blades and buckets.
Cutlery: Knives, scissors, and surgical instruments.
Fasteners: Bolts and nuts requiring high strength.
Pumps: Shafts and valve parts subject to wear.