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Steel Grade Equivalents: AISI, EN and JIS Cross Reference

Buyers who source from Europe, Japan, India and China constantly translate between AISI/SAE, EN and JIS grades. This table gives the nearest commercial equivalents for the carbon, alloy, stainless and tool steels that appear most often on RFQs.

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AISI / SAEEN material numberEN designationJISGroup
1020
1.1151
C22E
S20C
Carbon steel
1030
1.1178
C30E
S30C
Carbon steel
1040
1.1186
C40E
S40C
Carbon steel
1045
1.1191
C45E
S45C
Carbon steel
1215
1.0715
11SMn30
SUM22
Free-cutting steel
12L14
1.0718
11SMnPb30
SUM22L
Free-cutting steel
4130
1.7218
25CrMo4
SCM430
Alloy steel
4140
1.7225
42CrMo4
SCM440
Alloy steel
5140
1.7035
41Cr4
SCr440
Alloy steel
6150
1.8159
51CrV4
SUP10
Spring steel
8620
1.6523
21NiCrMo2
SNCM220
Case-hardening steel
52100
1.3505
100Cr6
SUJ2
Bearing steel
304
1.4301
X5CrNi18-10
SUS304
Austenitic stainless
304L
1.4307
X2CrNi18-9
SUS304L
Austenitic stainless
303
1.4305
X8CrNiS18-9
SUS303
Austenitic stainless
316
1.4401
X5CrNiMo17-12-2
SUS316
Austenitic stainless
316L
1.4404
X2CrNiMo17-12-2
SUS316L
Austenitic stainless
321
1.4541
X6CrNiTi18-10
SUS321
Austenitic stainless
430
1.4016
X6Cr17
SUS430
Ferritic stainless
410
1.4006
X12Cr13
SUS410
Martensitic stainless
440C
1.4125
X105CrMo17
SUS440C
Martensitic stainless
17-4 PH (630)
1.4542
X5CrNiCuNb16-4
SUS630
Precipitation hardening
D2
1.2379
X153CrMoV12
SKD11
Cold work tool steel
A2
1.2363
X100CrMoV5
SKD12
Cold work tool steel
O1
1.2510
100MnCrW4
SKS3
Cold work tool steel
H13
1.2344
X40CrMoV5-1
SKD61
Hot work tool steel
M2
1.3343
HS6-5-2C
SKH51
High-speed steel

Entries are nearest commercial equivalents, not identical grades. Chemistry limits, mechanical property requirements and testing rules differ between standards. Always confirm against the actual specification before substituting material on a controlled drawing.

Alternate material grade setup

Optional: discuss how to carry approved alternate grades in your ERP item and BOM structure.

Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.

How to use the table

Search with the grade you have, for example 4140, SCM440 or 1.4301, and read across to the equivalents. Use the group column to filter by steel type. Export the result to Excel to attach to a purchase requisition or a supplier deviation request. When a drawing calls out one standard and a supplier offers another, treat the table as a starting point for a documented engineering approval, not as a replacement for it.

  • Search by any column, including EN number
  • Use EN material numbers for unambiguous European ordering
  • Filter by group to compare alternatives
  • Attach the table to substitution requests as supporting data

Why equivalents are never exact

Each standard sets its own chemistry ranges, tolerances, heat treatment conditions and mechanical test requirements. For example, AISI 4140 and EN 42CrMo4 are very close in chemistry, but sulfur limits, hardenability bands and delivery conditions are defined differently. JIS SCM440 is likewise a near match. Stainless grades like 304 and 1.4301 are closer, yet 304 allows slightly different carbon and nickel limits than EN.

Worked example

A US print specifies 4140 pre-hardened, 28 to 32 HRC. A European supplier offers 42CrMo4 +QT. The two are normally accepted as equivalent, but you should still confirm the delivery condition, hardness range, and certificate type (EN 10204 type 3.1). Record the substitution as an engineering change or deviation so the ERP item and certificate trail remain consistent.

Common mistakes

Buyers sometimes treat all 304-type stainless as interchangeable with 1.4301 for pressure or food-contact work without checking the standard, or assume a JIS grade has the same hardenability as the AISI grade. Another error is substituting by name only, such as 1018 for C45, when the carbon content is very different.

  • Match the delivery condition, not just the grade name
  • Ask for chemistry and mechanical results on the certificate
  • Record every substitution in the engineering change log
  • Check customer approval before substituting on controlled parts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EN equivalent of 4140 steel?

The nearest EN equivalent is 42CrMo4, material number 1.7225. JIS equivalent is SCM440. They are close but not identical, so confirm hardenability and delivery condition when substituting.

What is the JIS equivalent of AISI 304?

SUS304 is the JIS equivalent of AISI 304, and EN 1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10) is the European one. Carbon, nickel and chromium ranges differ slightly between standards.

Is C45 the same as 1045?

C45E (1.1191) is the nearest European match to AISI 1045 and JIS S45C. Chemistry ranges and impurity limits differ slightly, which can matter for heat treatment response.

Can I substitute grades without customer approval?

Not on controlled parts. Aerospace, defense, automotive and pressure equipment customers usually require written approval for any change of material specification, even to a close equivalent.

If you want ERP item masters to carry validated alternate material grades, Netray can help design that with your quality team. Ask for a scoping call.

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