Precipitation Hardening (PH) Stainless
A stainless steel that gains its strength from a low-temperature ageing treatment which precipitates fine particles, rather than from quenching — 17-4 PH being the best known.
Why machinists specify it
17-4 PH is machined in the solution annealed condition, then aged at 480-620 °C. Strength goes past 1300 MPa with very little dimensional change and no quench distortion, so finished parts can be hardened after machining.
Condition codes
H900 to H1150 name the ageing temperature in Fahrenheit: H900 gives peak strength at around 45 HRC, H1150 trades strength for toughness and corrosion resistance.
Where this applies
Martensitic & PH Stainless Plate
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