Stainless Steel 15-5 PH vs Discaloy
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 15-5 PH and Discaloy are both stainless steel grades. 15-5 PH is the stronger of the two: yield strength 795 MPa (115 ksi) against 730 MPa (106 ksi) for Discaloy, about 9% more. In exchange, Discaloy is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 14% for 15-5 PH, and 15-5 PH is harder (311 HB vs 290 HB). Discaloy 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 Discaloy sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than 15-5 PH (specialty, $$$$$).
15-5 PHChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
DiscaloyChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
15-5 PH vs Discaloy: 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.
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 196 GPa28.4 Msi · Shear Strength 640 MPa92.8 ksi
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)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 5.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 190 L/kg22.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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 | 15-5 PH | Discaloy |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Condition A | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Black Oxide | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| Nickel Plating | Yes | — |
| PTFE Coating | Yes | — |
| Painting | Yes | — |
They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
15-5 PH vs Discaloy — frequently asked
Is 15-5 PH stronger than Discaloy?
Yes. 15-5 PH has a typical yield strength of 795 MPa (115 ksi) against 730 MPa (106 ksi) for Discaloy — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 15-5 PH or Discaloy?
Discaloy is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while 15-5 PH is specialty ($$$$$). 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, 15-5 PH or Discaloy?
15-5 PH. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (18/100) for Discaloy; for welding the order is 15-5 PH first (very good, 70/100) then Discaloy (fair, 35/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 15-5 PH and Discaloy 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.