Stainless Steel 1.4606 vs 15-5 PH
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 1.4606 and 15-5 PH are both stainless steel grades. 15-5 PH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 795 MPa (115 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 1.4606, about 14% more. In exchange, 1.4606 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for 15-5 PH. 1.4606 runs hotter in service (650°C vs 300°C continuous) and 15-5 PH conducts heat better (17.9 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 15-5 PH machines more easily (fair vs poor), 15-5 PH welds better (very good vs fair), and 1.4606 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than 15-5 PH (specialty, $$$$$).
1.4606Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
15-5 PHChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
1.4606 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
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
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)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Castability
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 | 1.4606 | 15-5 PH |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Condition A |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Black Oxide | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
1.4606 vs 15-5 PH — frequently asked
Is 15-5 PH stronger than 1.4606?
Yes. 15-5 PH has a typical yield strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) against 700 MPa (102 ksi) for 1.4606 — about 14% more. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 1,010 MPa (146 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 1.4606 or 15-5 PH?
1.4606 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while 15-5 PH is specialty ($$$$$). 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, 1.4606 or 15-5 PH?
15-5 PH. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (25/100) for 1.4606; for welding the order is 15-5 PH first (very good, 70/100) then 1.4606 (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.4606 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.