Stainless Steel 17-4 (PH)

1900 F (1038 C), hold for 1/2 hour, rapid cool.

Commonly used in both aircraft and gas turbines, nuclear reactor, paper mill, oil field, and chemical process components.

Despite its high initial yield strength, 17-4 can be cold worked successfully by most common methods.

Soak for 1 hour at 2150 F (1177 C) prior to forging. Do not work below 1850 F (1010 C). Post-work solution treatment is required prior to final hardening.

This alloy is capable of being only mildly formed. If forming is required, do so in the overaged condition for best results.

This alloy has good ductility and may be readily formed by all conventional methods. Because the alloy is stronger than regular steel it requires more powerful equipment to accomplish forming. Heavy-duty lubricants should be used during cold forming.

CONDITION A--Soak at 1900 F (1038 C) for 30 minutes and cool below 60 F (16 C) for complete martensite transformation. CONDITION H 950- Treat Condition A material at 900 F(482 C) for 1 hour, air cool.. CONDITION H925, H1025, H1075, H1100, H1150- Soak solution treated material for 4 hours at specified temperature, air cool, CONDITION H1150M- Soak solution treated material at 1400 F (760 C) for 2 hours, air cool, then re-heat to 1150 F (620 C) for 4 hours and air cool.

17-4 PH can be easily hot worked using most of the common processes. It is suggested that material be solution treated at 1900 F(1038 C) then formed during cooling while the material is still austenitic. Post-work solution treatment is required prior to final hardening.

Long, gummy chips characterize this alloys machinability. It can be machined in the annealed condition, however condition H1150M will yield best results. Post machining solution treatment of parts will be required prior to final hardening if machining in this condition.

One of the most widely used precipitation hardening grades in the business. While soft and ductile in the solution annealed condition, it is capable of high properties with a single precipitation or aging treatment. Characterized by good corrosion resistance, high harness, toughness and strength.

Successfully welded by common fusion and resistance methods, this alloy should not be joined by oxyacetylene welding. AWS E/ER630 filler metal is recommended if required.