Stainless Steel 17-4 PH vs Custom 450
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 17-4 PH and Custom 450 are both stainless steel grades, both high strength ss. Custom 450 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,205 MPa (175 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for 17-4 PH, about 59% more; tensile strength follows at 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) vs 1,030 MPa (149 ksi). Custom 450 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 12% for 17-4 PH, and Custom 450 is harder (390 HB vs 311 HB). Custom 450 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, 17-4 PH machines more easily (fair vs poor) and 17-4 PH welds better (very good vs good).
17-4 PHChoose it when the part is machined in volume, or when it will be welded.
Custom 450Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
17-4 PH vs Custom 450: 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)
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
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,440°C2,624 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m31.5 µΩ·in
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)
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 | 17-4 PH | Custom 450 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| Casting & forging | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Condition A | H900 |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Electropolished (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Passivated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
| Plated (Metal AM) | Yes | — |
Both are offered for CNC machining and Sheet metal. They share 32 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, CrN, DLC, Electroless Nickel (EN), Electropolishing and 20 more.
17-4 PH vs Custom 450 — frequently asked
Is Custom 450 stronger than 17-4 PH?
Yes. Custom 450 has a typical yield strength of 1,205 MPa (175 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for 17-4 PH — about 59% more. Tensile strength is 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) vs 1,030 MPa (149 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 17-4 PH or Custom 450?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$, premium); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, 17-4 PH or Custom 450?
17-4 PH. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (28/100) for Custom 450; for welding the order is 17-4 PH first (very good, 70/100) then Custom 450 (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 17-4 PH and Custom 450 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.