Corrosion Resistance17-4PH stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance. Corrosion tests and service experience have shown that in all aged conditions it is superior to standard hardenable stainless grades such as 420, 431 and 410. Its corrosion resistance is comparable to grade 304 Stainless.

WeldingArc and resistance welding processes used on standard grades of stainless steel are applicable to 17-4PH stainless steel. The low hardness enables sections, up to 100mm, to be welded without requiring pre heating.

Fabrication17-4PH Condition is suitable for limited cold forming, H1100, H1150 and overaged conditions are more suitable when severe cold forming is required.

Machining17-4PH Condition has machining characteristics similar to stainless grades 302, 304 and 410. The high hardness and strength in Condition H900 is the most difficult to machine and the material should be machined at 60% of the rate which is used for Condition A.

Nitriding

To increase the resistance to surface wear, with a slight decrease in corrosion resistance, 17-4PH stainless steel can be nitrided. An approximate hardness of 64/67HRc can be achieved, with a surface hardness depth of up to 0.15mm when nitrided at 540°C, while still maintaining a high core strength.