Stainless Steel 1.4596 vs 15-5 PH
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4596 and 15-5 PH are both stainless steel grades. 1.4596 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 795 MPa (115 ksi) for 15-5 PH, about 70% more; tensile strength follows at 1,470 MPa (213 ksi) vs 1,030 MPa (149 ksi). In exchange, 15-5 PH is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 12% for 1.4596, and 1.4596 is harder (430 HB vs 311 HB). 1.4596 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous) and 15-5 PH conducts heat better (17.9 W/m·K vs 16 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 15-5 PH machines more easily (fair vs poor), 15-5 PH welds better (very good vs good), and 1.4596 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than 15-5 PH (specialty, $$$$$).
1.4596Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
15-5 PHChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
1.4596 vs 15-5 PH: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Reduction in Area 55%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1.4596 | 15-5 PH |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Condition A |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
1.4596 vs 15-5 PH — frequently asked
Is 1.4596 stronger than 15-5 PH?
Yes. 1.4596 has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) against 795 MPa (115 ksi) for 15-5 PH — about 70% more. Tensile strength is 1,470 MPa (213 ksi) vs 1,030 MPa (149 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.4596 or 15-5 PH?
1.4596 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while 15-5 PH is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, 1.4596 or 15-5 PH?
15-5 PH. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (30/100) for 1.4596; for welding the order is 15-5 PH first (very good, 70/100) then 1.4596 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4596 and 15-5 PH side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.