Materials / Compare
Stainless 17-4PH vs. Steel
Compare Stainless 17-4PH vs. Steel 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 | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 1,379MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| Elongation at break | 9%sourcetypical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm) | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 197GPasourceH 900 | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 7,800kg/m³sourceH 900 | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 163kN·m/kg3.33x higher | 49kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 25.5MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.272sourceH 900 (column) | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 77.4GPa | 76.9GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 144GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,026m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 17.9W/m·Ksourceat 149 °C (300 °F), H 900 | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 10.8µm/m·Ksourcemean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900 | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 54µm growth11% less | 60µm growth |
| Specific heat | 460J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C, H 900 | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 4.99mm²/s | 13mm²/s2.61x faster |
| Thermal shock resistance | 7,809W/m45% more resistant | 5,390W/m |
| Max service temperature | 316°Csourcestrength-retention limit (not oxidation) | not sourced |
| Values for | Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021) | Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel?
Stainless 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against 385 MPa for Steel (3.31x).
Which is lighter, Stainless 17-4PH or Steel?
Stainless 17-4PH is lighter: 7,800 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, Stainless 17-4PH or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 197 GPa for Stainless 17-4PH, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Stainless 17-4PH or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless 17-4PH is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Stainless 17-4PH | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | about equal | about equal |
| Stiff beam (bending) | about equal | about equal |
| Stiff panel or plate | about equal | about equal |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 3.33x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.24x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 1.83x 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 Steel?
Steel conducts heat better: 48 W/m·K against 17.9 W/m·K for Stainless 17-4PH.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless 17-4PH expands less: 10.8 µm/m·K against 12 µm/m·K for Steel.