Stainless alloy 17-4 PH – properties, applications and technical data
Alloy 17-4 PH is a precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel that combines high strength, good toughness and good corrosion resistance.
The alloy is often used in applications where high mechanical strength and good corrosion resistance are required, especially in the aerospace industry, energy sector, offshore and process industry.
Through heat treatment, the material can achieve very high strength while maintaining good dimensional stability.
Properties of Alloy 17-4 PH
17-4 PH is a precipitation hardening stainless steel where the strength is achieved through heat treatment. The combination of chromium, nickel and copper provides good corrosion resistance and very good mechanical properties.
The material offers high strength, good fatigue strength and good wear resistance, making it suitable for demanding mechanical components.
- Type: precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel
- Alloy: Fe-Cr-Ni-Cu-Nb
- Structure: martensitic structure after heat treatment
- Designations: Alloy 17-4 PH, 17-4 PH, Werkstoff 1.4542, UNS S17400, X5CrNiCuNb16-4
- Typical composition: Cr ~15–17%, Ni ~3–5%, Cu ~3–5%, Nb ~0.15–0.45 %
Advantages
- Very high strength after hardening
- Good corrosion resistance
- Good toughness and fatigue strength
- Good wear resistance
- Good dimensional stability after heat treatment
Limitations
- Corrosion resistance is lower than some austenitic stainless steels
- Heat treatment is required to achieve optimal strength
- Not intended for very high temperatures
Common product forms for Alloy 17-4 PH
- Round bar
- Sheet and flat steel
- Forgings
- Fasteners
- Special dimensions according to drawing
Typical components manufactured in 17-4 PH
- Valve components
- Pump shafts
- Aircraft components
- Turbine and energy components
- Highly stressed mechanical parts
- Offshore and marine components
Corrosion resistance
Alloy 17-4 PH offers good corrosion resistance in many industrial environments and marine applications.
The material is often used in environments where the combination of high strength and reasonable corrosion resistance is crucial.
Environments where 17-4 PH performs well
- Energy and power generation
- Aerospace industry
- Offshore and marine environments
- Industrial machine components
Environments to avoid
- Very aggressive chemical environments
- Applications where maximum corrosion resistance is required
Technical data
| Yield strength (0.2%) |
~900–1100 MPa depending on heat treatment |
| Tensile strength |
~1000–1300 MPa |
| Elongation |
~10–15 % |
| Density |
~7.75 g/cm³ |
| Modulus of elasticity |
~200 GPa |
| Heat treatment |
Precipitation hardening (PH treatment) |
With a global network of suppliers we can offer Alloy 17-4 PH in technical dimensions for demanding industrial applications.
Contact us for price, availability and technical advice.
Supplier of Alloy 17-4 PH with certified quality
HARALD PIHL is one of Europe's largest suppliers of special alloys and advanced stainless steels, including precipitation hardening materials such as 17-4 PH.
With over 100 years of experience in the metal industry, we deliver materials with full traceability and certification according to EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 as well as relevant ASTM and ISO standards.
Cutting, testing and quality assurance are carried out in-house to ensure the right tolerances and fast global delivery for technically demanding projects.
- Europe's largest warehouse of nickel and titanium alloys
- Special alloys from stock
- ASTM / ISO standards
- Top quality for safety-critical applications
- Fast global delivery
- Full material certification (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2)
- Over 100 years in the metal industry
- Nickel and titanium experts
