Introduction
UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel is an austenitic grade stainless steel. It contains approximately 17% chromium and 7% nickel, making it the most commonly used grade of precipitation hardening stainless steel. It has excellent corrosion resistance when exposed to normal environments and demonstrates exceptional mechanical properties when subjected to heat treatment or cold working. It is widely used in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, food processing, marine, medical, and electrical.
Chemistry
The UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel composition is a balance of chromium, nickel and other alloying elements. It contains 17%–20% chromium and 7%–8% nickel by weight. It is a high-chrome, low-nickel, martensitic precipitation hardening stainless steel. In addition to the chromium and nickel, it may contain other alloying elements such as molybdenum, copper, titanium, aluminum, and cobalt.
Physical Properties
UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel has a number of excellent physical properties. It has a relatively high tensile strength and hardness which make it resistant to wear and tear. It is also corrosion resistant which makes it ideal for use in high humidity and wet environments. Additionally, it is highly resistant to high temperatures which makes it a good choice for applications requiring heat resistance.
Mechanical Properties
UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel is a precipitation hardening austenitic stainless steel. It is a highly corrosion resistant material which offers excellent mechanical properties when subjected to heat treatment or cold working. When heat treated, it will reach a high strength level with good ductility and toughness. With cold working, it is possible to reach even higher strength levels with hardening occurring after precipitation.
Heat Treatment
UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel can be heat treated in order to achieve desired mechanical properties. It should be heated in the range of 1000–1050°C and then held at temperature prior to rapid cooling in order to achieve maximum hardness. Heating too quickly or cooling too slowly can result in undesired microstructure changes.
Applications
UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel is a versatile material that can be used in a number of applications. It is commonly used in aerospace and automotive components due to its excellent corrosion resistance and ability to withstand high temperatures. It is also used in food processing and pharmaceutical industries where it can withstand the caustic and corrosive nature of the environment. Additionally, since it is highly resistant to wear, it is often used in marine, electrical and medical applications.
Conclusion
UNS S17700 17–7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel is a high-chrome, low-nickel, martensitic precipitation hardening stainless steel. It has excellent corrosion resistance and demonstrates excellent mechanical properties when subjected to heat treatment or cold working. It is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of industries including aerospace, automotive, marine, food processing, and electrical. Due to its excellent properties, it is an ideal choice for many applications requiring a highly corrosion resistant, heat resistant, and wear resistant material.
