FabDigitFabDigit

Stainless Steel 13-8 PH vs 17-7 PH

Stainless Steel · grade comparison

Stainless Steel 13-8 PH and 17-7 PH are both stainless steel grades, both high strength ss. 13-8 PH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 827 MPa (120 ksi) against 276 MPa (40 ksi) for 17-7 PH, about 200% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 896 MPa (130 ksi). In exchange, 17-7 PH is the more ductile: elongation 35% versus 13% for 13-8 PH, and 13-8 PH is harder (311 HB vs 175 HB). 17-7 PH conducts heat better (16.4 W/m·K vs 14 W/m·K).

13-8 PHChoose it when strength drives the design.

17-7 PHChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

13-8 PH vs 17-7 PH: properties

13-8 PH17-7 PH

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

78 GPa11.3 Msi
77 GPa11.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

155 GPa22.5 Msi
152 GPa22 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,000 MPa145 ksi
896 MPa130 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

827 MPa120 ksi
276 MPa40 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
35%

Compressive Strength

850 MPa123 ksi
—

Shear Strength

620 MPa89.9 ksi
585 MPa84.8 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

55 J40.6 ft·lbf
100 J73.8 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

311 HB
175 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

33 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

330 HV
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
85 HRB

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Reduction in Area 55%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.76 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
16.4 W/m·K9.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.6 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F
11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
—

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -73°C-99 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
2.2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.4 µΩ·in
8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

58 / 100
62 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
35%

Weldability

62 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

28 / 100
70 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
70 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 32 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

62 MJ/kg26,655 BTU/lb
60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.2 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
250 L/kg30 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

129 kN·m/kg
115 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.8 MN·m/kg
25.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,710 kJ/m³
190 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.9 mm²/s
4.6 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 7

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.

3005007001,0001,5002,0007.27.47.67.888.2Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale13-8 PH17-7 PH

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability13-8 PH17-7 PH
Default conditionCondition ACondition A
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. Both take the same 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.

13-8 PH vs 17-7 PH — frequently asked

Is 13-8 PH stronger than 17-7 PH?

Yes. 13-8 PH has a typical yield strength of 827 MPa (120 ksi) against 276 MPa (40 ksi) for 17-7 PH — about 200% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 896 MPa (130 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 13-8 PH or 17-7 PH?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$$, specialty); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, 13-8 PH or 17-7 PH?

13-8 PH. Its weldability rates good (62/100) against good (55/100) for 17-7 PH.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 13-8 PH and 17-7 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.