17 4 PH Stainless Steel Supplier Stainless Shapes is a proud 17 4 PH Stainless Steel supplier. 17 4 PH is the most widely used precipitation-hardening stainless steel. This is because its relatively inexpensive to alternatives and has great strength. 17 4 is best used due to its high strength, good corrosion resistance, and good properties up to and including 600 degrees. 17-4PH is also referred to 630 stainless. There are different conditions of 17-4Ph H900, H1025, H1050, H1100, H1150, and Double H 1150 Click here for more information. 17 4 PH stainless steel is used for a variety of industries including: pump shafts, oil path, mechanical seals, within the aerospace industry, and more. Whereas, this versatility makes it one of the most marketable and thus one of the best priced stainless alloys on the market. Traits of 17 4 PH High Strength – The high-strength alloy boasts an impressive yield rate. It offers a cost-effective alternative to high-nickel and non-ferrous alloys. The key advantage is that the strength remains constant at all temperatures, consistently delivering superior performance. Good Corrosion Resistance – The petrochemical, petroleum, paper, and food processing industries widely use this metal. It is because of its exceptional corrosion resistance. The metal surpasses the corrosion resistance of most standard stainless steels and even rivals the 304 in this quality. Good Properties up to 600 – The lab tests for this stainless steel show impressive temperature performance. It can retain its properties up to 600 degrees. This is why it can withstand heat variations without losing strength, although there is a slight decrease in hardness. Special Note: If there are potential risks of stress corrosion cracking, the higher aging temperatures then must be selected over 1022°F (550°C), preferably 1094°F (590°C). However, 1022°F (550°C) is the optimum tempering temperature in chloride media. Stainless Shapes Stainless Shapes has been in the business of dealing stainless for several years. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for or would like to speak to one of our sales representatives make sure to give us a call at (800) 748-9811 today. Speak to our experts about your needs and projects that you’re working on. Furthermore, for a prompt and accurate quote, call us today. Call - 800-748-9811 Frequently Asked Questions Is 17-4 PH stainless the same as 304? + No, 17-4 PH is not the same as 304 stainless steel. 304 is a standard austenitic stainless steel with approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel, with a maximum tensile strength of about 90 ksi. 17-4 PH is a precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steel with 17% chromium, 4% nickel, and 4% copper, capable of reaching over 200 ksi tensile strength after aging treatment. They are fundamentally different alloys with very different mechanical properties. What is 17-4 PH stainless steel? + 17-4 PH is a precipitation-hardening (PH) stainless steel—UNS S17400—that combines high strength, hardness, and moderate corrosion resistance. It contains approximately 17% chromium, 4% nickel, and 4% copper. The copper enables precipitation hardening through controlled aging heat treatments, allowing the alloy to be strengthened to levels far beyond standard austenitic grades. It is widely used in aerospace, defense, chemical processing, and marine applications requiring both strength and corrosion resistance. Does 17-4 PH stainless rust? + 17-4 PH stainless steel has good corrosion resistance in mild to moderate environments—comparable to 304 in many conditions. However, it is less corrosion-resistant than 316 in chloride environments, and its corrosion performance varies with heat treatment condition. In the H900 condition (maximum hardness), corrosion resistance is at its lowest; in the H1150 condition, it improves. For highly corrosive or marine environments, 316 or a duplex grade is typically preferred over 17-4 PH. What does PH stand for in stainless steel? + In stainless steel terminology, 'PH' stands for 'precipitation hardening.' This describes a heat treatment process where fine precipitates form within the alloy's microstructure during an aging step, dramatically increasing the material's strength and hardness. The '17-4' designation refers to the nominal chromium (17%) and nickel (4%) content. How hard is 17-4 PH stainless steel? + The hardness of 17-4 PH varies significantly by heat treatment condition. In Condition A (solution annealed, no aging), hardness is approximately 25–35 HRC. After aging to the H900 condition (aged at 900°F), hardness reaches 35–43 HRC. At H1025, it is typically 30–36 HRC. H1150 yields 25–30 HRC. No other commonly available stainless steel covers such a wide range of achievable hardness through heat treatment. What is the difference between 17-4 PH and 316 stainless steel? + 17-4 PH and 316 are different in both composition and properties. 316 is austenitic, non-hardenable, contains molybdenum for chloride resistance, and has moderate strength (~75 ksi tensile). 17-4 PH is a precipitation-hardening martensitic grade with far higher achievable strength (up to 200+ ksi) but less corrosion resistance in aggressive chloride environments. The choice depends on the application: 316 for best corrosion resistance, 17-4 PH for strength-critical parts. What is 17-4 PH stainless steel used for? + 17-4 PH stainless steel is used in aerospace components (landing gear parts, shafts, pump housings), defense hardware, nuclear waste containers, oil-and-gas equipment, chemical processing parts, medical instruments, food processing machinery, and marine hardware. It is the go-to alloy when a single material must provide both high mechanical strength and adequate corrosion resistance. Is 17-4 PH stainless better than 304? + In terms of mechanical strength, yes—17-4 PH in its aged conditions significantly outperforms 304. The H900 condition provides tensile strengths above 200 ksi versus 304's 75–90 ksi. In terms of corrosion resistance, 304 is generally superior in aggressive chloride or acid environments. For applications where strength is the primary requirement and the environment is not highly corrosive, 17-4 PH is the better choice. Can 17-4 PH stainless be hardened? + Yes, 17-4 PH is designed to be hardened through aging heat treatment. Starting from Condition A (solution annealed), the material is aged at temperatures from 900°F to 1150°F to produce different 'H conditions.' This process is performed by the customer or a heat treater after the initial forming and machining operations, allowing parts to be machined in the softer Condition A state before achieving final hardness. What does the H condition mean in 17-4 PH stainless steel? + The 'H condition' designation in 17-4 PH refers to the specific aging temperature used in the precipitation-hardening heat treatment. The number following 'H' represents the approximate aging temperature in degrees Fahrenheit: H900 (aged at 900°F) delivers maximum strength and hardness; H1025, H1075, and H1150 progressively trade strength for improved toughness and ductility. Stainless Shapes stocks 17-4 PH in multiple H conditions in both bar and plate form.
