Description
Alloy Geek 17-4PH Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel Standard
17-4PH, also known as Alloy 17-4 or UNS S17400, is a precipitation-hardening stainless steel alloy. It's valued for its combination of high strength, corrosion resistance, and the ability to be heat treated to achieve various levels of mechanical properties. The "PH" in the name stands for "precipitation hardening," which refers to the process of strengthening the alloy through heat treatment.
Chemical Composition of 17-4PH Stainless Steel:
- Chromium (Cr): 15-17.5%
- Nickel (Ni): 3-5%
- Copper (Cu): 3-5%
- Manganese (Mn): 1% max
- Silicon (Si): 1% max
- Tantalum (Ta): 0.45% max (Nb + Ta = 0.15-0.45)
- Niobium (Nb): 0.45% max (Nb + Ta = 0.15-0.45)
- Carbon (C): 0.07% max
- Phosphorous (P): 0.04% max
- Sulfur (S): 0.03% max
- Iron(Fe): Balance
Key features and characteristics of 17-4PH:
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High Strength: 17-4PH offers a high level of strength, making it suitable for applications that require strong materials. The alloy can be precipitation hardened to achieve even higher strength levels.
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Corrosion Resistance: The alloy provides good corrosion resistance, especially in environments that are not highly aggressive. It's not as corrosion-resistant as some other stainless steels like 316, but it's still suitable for many applications.
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Heat Treatment: The precipitation-hardening heat treatment process involves aging the alloy at an elevated temperature, which increases its strength while maintaining a certain level of toughness.
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Applications: 17-4PH is used in various industries, including aerospace, petrochemical, and medical. It's chosen for applications like gears, shafts, valves, fasteners, and components requiring a combination of strength and corrosion resistance.
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Formability: The alloy can be formed and fabricated using standard methods.
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Weldability: The alloy can be welded using common techniques, although some precautions might be necessary to maintain its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
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Magnetic Properties: 17-4PH is magnetic due to its precipitation hardening process.
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Forms: 17-4PH is available in various forms, including sheets, plates, bars, and wires.
Due to its combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and heat treatability, Alloy 17-4PH is well-suited for applications that require excellent mechanical properties. If you're considering using 17-4PH for a specific project, consulting with materials experts or manufacturers is recommended to ensure it meets your desired performance requirements, especially in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, heat treatability, and compatibility with the specific conditions of your application.
XRF standards are thin samples typically around 1/4" thick while OES standards are typically much thicker to allow for sample preparation.
Reference Material (RM): A reference material, or RM, is a material with a known composition or property that is used for informational purposes to look at analytical instruments, methods, or procedures. It serves as a point of comparison to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measurements. Reference materials can vary in terms of their level of characterization and traceability. Some reference materials may have well-defined properties, but they might not have undergone the rigorous testing and certification process that certified reference materials (CRMs) undergo. Reference Material chemical compositions are for information purposes.
Certified Reference Material (CRM): A certified reference material, or CRM, is a type of reference material that has been thoroughly analyzed and characterized using multiple validated methods to determine its composition or properties. The results of these analyses are then used to establish certified values, along with associated uncertainties. CRMs are produced and certified by accredited organizations or laboratories following internationally recognized standards, such as ISO Guide 34 (ISO 17034). The certification process includes interlaboratory comparison and statistical analysis to ensure accuracy and traceability.
In summary, the main difference between a reference material and a certified reference material lies in the level of characterization, validation, and certification. CRMs have undergone a more comprehensive and rigorous testing process, resulting in certified values and uncertainties that can be confidently used for instrument calibration, quality control, and research. Reference materials, on the other hand, can provide a point of comparison but do not have the same level of certification and traceability as CRMs. When accuracy and traceability are critical, certified reference materials are preferred.