Stainless Steel 17-6PH vs Custom 450
Stainless Steel · grade comparison
Stainless Steel 17-6PH and Custom 450 are both stainless steel grades. Custom 450 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,205 MPa (175 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for 17-6PH, about 59% more; tensile strength follows at 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi). Custom 450 is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 12% for 17-6PH, and Custom 450 is harder (390 HB vs 285 HB). Custom 450 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 17-6PH machines more easily (fair vs poor), Custom 450 welds better (good vs fair), and Custom 450 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than 17-6PH (high, $$$$).
17-6PHChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
Custom 450Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
17-6PH 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.
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Compressive Strength
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °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)
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 -75°C-103 °F
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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
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 Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 4.5 mm²/s
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 | 17-6PH | Custom 450 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | H900 |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| 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 |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| Nickel Plating | — | Yes |
| PTFE Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Passivation (Stainless Steel) | — | Yes |
They share 7 finishes: Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Pickling, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating.
17-6PH vs Custom 450 — frequently asked
Is Custom 450 stronger than 17-6PH?
Yes. Custom 450 has a typical yield strength of 1,205 MPa (175 ksi) against 760 MPa (110 ksi) for 17-6PH — about 59% more. Tensile strength is 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) vs 965 MPa (140 ksi).
Which is cheaper, 17-6PH or Custom 450?
Custom 450 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while 17-6PH is high ($$$$). 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, 17-6PH or Custom 450?
17-6PH. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (28/100) for Custom 450; for welding the order is Custom 450 first (good, 60/100) then 17-6PH (fair, 45/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 17-6PH 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.