17–7PH is a stainless steel alloy with excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, formability, and good welding characteristics. The alloy is composed of 17 percent chromium and 7 percent nickel, along with trace amounts of aluminum, manganese, phosphorus, silicon, and sulfur. The online metallurgy database Matweb, maintained by the American Society for Testing and Materials, lists the following predominant chemical composition for 17–7 PH (in weight percent):
Carbon (C): 0.07 max
Manganese (Mn): 0.75 max
Phosphorus (P): 0.04 max
Sulfur (S): 0.03 max
Silicon (Si): 0.50 max
Chromium (Cr): 16-18%
Nickel (Ni): 6.5-8%
Aluminum (Al): <0.7%
17–7 PH stainless steel is sometimes referred to as “precipitation-hardening”. This designation indicates that the alloy can be hardened by an aging process referred to as “age hardening” or “precipitation hardening”. Age hardening is typically carried out by heating the alloy to temperatures of around 900-1200°F (482-649°C) for several hours and then allowing it to cool slowly at room temperature.
The combination of chromium, nickel and aluminum in the alloy provides for a wide range of beneficial properties. One of the most significant benefits of 17–7 PH stainless steel is its strength and corrosion resistance. In addition to providing strength and corrosion resistance, this alloy is highly resistant to corrosion in acidic and alkaline environments, making it well suited for use in medical and food industry applications-specifically in medical implants, surgical instruments, and food processing equipment. 17–7 PH stainless steel is also known for its good formability due to its low-energy hot working and cold working capabilities.