1Cr12 Stainless Steel: China’s GB-Standard Martensitic Alloy for Moderate-Corrosion, High-Strength Needs
1Cr12 is a martensitic stainless steel grade defined by China’s National Standard (GB/T 1220), tailored for applications requiring a balance of corrosion resistance, strength, and cost-effectiveness. A key feature of 1Cr12 is its chromium-rich composition: 11.5-13.0% chromium, paired with a low carbon content (0.15% max) and minimal alloying additions (1.00% max manganese, 0.50% max silicon). This formulation grants it better corrosion resistance than carbon steels while maintaining the heat-treatable, high-strength traits of martensitic stainless steels—minimum yield strength of 300 MPa and tensile strength of 500 MPa, outperforming some low-carbon 410 variants. It is magnetic and can be hardened to 32 HRC via quenching and tempering, making it suitable for both load-bearing and wear-resistant parts.
The primary role of 1Cr12 is to serve as a reliable, locally sourced material in Chinese industrial applications where moderate corrosion resistance and high strength are required, and GB standard compliance is mandatory. Its advantages include excellent cost-performance: compared to imported martensitic grades, 1Cr12 is more affordable due to domestic production, without compromising on core properties. It also offers good thermal stability, retaining strength at temperatures up to 600°C—making it suitable for low-to-moderate high-temperature environments. Additionally, it has good formability in its annealed state, allowing it to be bent, stamped, or forged into complex shapes for custom components.
In terms of application scope, 1Cr12 is widely used in China’s machinery manufacturing industry for gears, bearings, and hydraulic components, where its high strength resists heavy loads. It is also common in the power generation sector for turbine blades and steam valves in low-pressure turbines, leveraging its thermal stability and corrosion resistance to steam. In the marine industry, it is used for non-submerged parts like ship deck hardware (e.g., cleats, hinges), as it withstands coastal atmospheres without excessive rusting. Other applications include agricultural machinery (e.g., plow blades, harvester parts) that need to resist soil moisture and wear, and domestic products like stainless steel hinges and fasteners, where its balance of performance and cost meets consumer needs.
The primary role of 1Cr12 is to serve as a reliable, locally sourced material in Chinese industrial applications where moderate corrosion resistance and high strength are required, and GB standard compliance is mandatory. Its advantages include excellent cost-performance: compared to imported martensitic grades, 1Cr12 is more affordable due to domestic production, without compromising on core properties. It also offers good thermal stability, retaining strength at temperatures up to 600°C—making it suitable for low-to-moderate high-temperature environments. Additionally, it has good formability in its annealed state, allowing it to be bent, stamped, or forged into complex shapes for custom components.
In terms of application scope, 1Cr12 is widely used in China’s machinery manufacturing industry for gears, bearings, and hydraulic components, where its high strength resists heavy loads. It is also common in the power generation sector for turbine blades and steam valves in low-pressure turbines, leveraging its thermal stability and corrosion resistance to steam. In the marine industry, it is used for non-submerged parts like ship deck hardware (e.g., cleats, hinges), as it withstands coastal atmospheres without excessive rusting. Other applications include agricultural machinery (e.g., plow blades, harvester parts) that need to resist soil moisture and wear, and domestic products like stainless steel hinges and fasteners, where its balance of performance and cost meets consumer needs.