Materials / Compare
Stainless 17-4PH vs. Stainless 304
Compare Stainless 17-4PH vs. Stainless 304 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 1,275MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip | 241MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C) |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 1,379MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip | 586MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C) |
| Elongation at break | 9%sourcetypical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm) | 55%sourcetypical, annealed, in 2 in. (50.8 mm) |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 197GPasourceH 900 | 193GPasourcetypical, in tension |
| Density | 7,800kg/m³sourceH 900 | 8,030kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 163kN·m/kg5.45x higher | 30kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg5% higher | 24MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.272sourceH 900 (column) | 0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels) |
| Shear modulus | 77.4GPa4% stiffer in shear | 74.2GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 144GPa | 161GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,026m/s | 4,903m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 17.9W/m·Ksourceat 149 °C (300 °F), H 900 | 16.2W/m·Ksourceat 100 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 10.8µm/m·Ksourcemean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900 | 16.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 54µm growth1.56x less | 84.5µm growth |
| Specific heat | 460J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C, H 900 | 500J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 4.99mm²/s24% faster | 4.03mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 7,809W/m9.32x more resistant | 838W/m |
| Melting point | not sourced | 1,399–1,454°Csourcemelting range |
| Max service temperature | 316°Csourcestrength-retention limit (not oxidation) | 899°Csourcecontinuous, oxidation (scaling) limit in air |
| Values for | Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021) | Type 304, annealed flat-rolled (Cleveland-Cliffs 304/304L Product Data Bulletin, May 2021); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Is Stainless 17-4PH stronger than Stainless 304?
Stainless 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against 241 MPa for Stainless 304 (5.29x).
Which is lighter, Stainless 17-4PH or Stainless 304?
Stainless 17-4PH is lighter: 7,800 kg/m³ against 8,030 kg/m³ for Stainless 304.
Which is stiffer, Stainless 17-4PH or Stainless 304?
Stainless 17-4PH is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 193 GPa for Stainless 304, so the same part in Stainless 17-4PH deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Stainless 17-4PH or Stainless 304?
For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless 17-4PH is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Stainless 17-4PH | Stainless 304 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 5% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 4% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 4% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 5.45x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 3.13x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.37x heavier |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which conducts heat better, Stainless 17-4PH or Stainless 304?
Stainless 17-4PH conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for Stainless 304.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 17-4PH expands less: 10.8 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Stainless 304.