Stainless Steel 13-8 PH · precip hard · default condition
Stainless Steel 13-8 PH Condition A
Properties of the Condition A condition, compared with the other 13-8 PH tempers.
As-supplied stock condition for machining, forming and welding before precipitation aging.
What is 13-8 PH Condition A?
13-8 PH Condition A is 13-8 PH in the Condition A condition — as-supplied stock condition for machining, forming and welding before precipitation aging. 13-8 PH Condition A has a yield strength of 827 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 13-8 PH Condition A has a density of 7.76 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 827 MPa (120 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 28/100, worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
13-8 PH Condition A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 13-8 PH Condition A — 17 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 13-8 PH temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
13-8 PH Condition A has a density of 7.76 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 59% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
13-8 PH Condition A has a yield strength of 827 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
13-8 PH Condition A is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.6 µm/m·K (5.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
13-8 PH Condition A conducts electricity at 1.7 % IACS, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 63% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 13-8 PH Condition A takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 5.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 75% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
13-8 PH Condition A's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability poor (28/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 13-8 PH tempers and conditions
13-8 PH is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 13-8 PH overview.
- Condition ADefaultAs-supplied stock condition for machining, forming and welding before precipitation aging.827 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- H950Peak-strength condition for maximum load capacity; least tolerant of corrosive or hydrogen-bearing environments.1,520 MPa yield · 46 HRC
- H1000Most widely specified aerospace condition — near-peak strength with markedly better toughness than H950.1,415 MPa yield · 45 HRC
- H1025Intermediate temper when slightly lower strength buys extra ductility and SCC margin over H1000.1,310 MPa yield · 43 HRC
- H1050Preferred when good SCC resistance and toughness matter more than the last 10 % of strength.1,210 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- H1100Overaged temper giving high toughness at ~1170 MPa UTS for thick, fracture-critical sections.1,070 MPa yield · 35 HRC
- H1150Maximum-toughness, best SCC-resistant temper; choose for corrosive service or heavy sections where 1035 MPa suffices.930 MPa yield · 32 HRC
- H1150MRarely stocked softest aged state used where maximum ductility, notch toughness and SCC immunity are required.725 MPa yield · 28 HRC
Working with 13-8 PH Condition A
Is 13-8 PH easy to machine?
Machine in Condition A with rigid setups, sharp carbide, positive rake and heavy coolant (~30 % of 1212); aged H950–H1000 work-hardens and needs reduced speeds and low feeds to avoid glazing.
Can 13-8 PH be welded?
Very good GTAW/EBW/laser weldability with matching or 13-8/15-5 filler, no preheat needed; weld in Condition A then re-solution + age (or age only) to restore joint strength.
Can 13-8 PH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is limited even in Condition A — use generous bend radii; hot work 1040–1180 °C followed by solution anneal at ~927 °C and air cool.
What surface finishes work on 13-8 PH?
Passivate per AMS 2700/ASTM A967 after machining; takes a fine polish and can be electropolished, shot-peened or thin-dense-chrome plated — bake after any plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
13-8 PH chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | 12.25 – 13.25 | 12.7 |
| Ni | 7.5 – 8.5 | 8 |
| Mo | 2 – 2.5 | 2.25 |
| AlNiAl precipitate former | 0.9 – 1.35 | 1.1 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Febalance, ~74–76 % | balance | — |
13-8 PH Condition A — frequently asked
What is 13-8 PH Condition A used for?
13-8 PH Condition A is typically used for aircraft landing gear components, actuator rods and shafts, aerospace fasteners, high-strength structural fittings, mould and die inserts and valve components. In short: ultra-high strength stainless.
What is the yield strength of 13-8 PH Condition A?
13-8 PH Condition A has a typical yield strength of 827 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 13-8 PH Condition A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 62% of stainless steel grades). Machine in Condition A with rigid setups, sharp carbide, positive rake and heavy coolant (~30 % of 1212); aged H950–H1000 work-hardens and needs reduced speeds and low feeds to avoid glazing.
Can 13-8 PH Condition A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Very good GTAW/EBW/laser weldability with matching or 13-8/15-5 filler, no preheat needed; weld in Condition A then re-solution + age (or age only) to restore joint strength.
What surface finishes work on 13-8 PH Condition A?
Passivate per AMS 2700/ASTM A967 after machining; takes a fine polish and can be electropolished, shot-peened or thin-dense-chrome plated — bake after any plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
Can 13-8 PH Condition A be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is limited even in Condition A — use generous bend radii; hot work 1040–1180 °C followed by solution anneal at ~927 °C and air cool.
What is the maximum service temperature of 13-8 PH Condition A?
13-8 PH Condition A is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 13-8 PH Condition A and 13-8 PH-H950?
Condition A is the default condition — as-supplied stock condition for machining, forming and welding before precipitation aging. H950: peak-strength condition for maximum load capacity; least tolerant of corrosive or hydrogen-bearing environments. Yield strength is 827 MPa in Condition A versus 1,520 MPa in H950.
Can FabDigit make parts in 13-8 PH Condition A?
Yes — 13-8 PH Condition A is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A564/A564M — Hot-Rolled and Cold-Finished Age-Hardening Stainless Steel Bars (Type XM-13) — ASTM International (2019)
- AMS 5629 / AMS 5934 — 13Cr-8Ni-2.2Mo-1.1Al bar, forgings and rings — SAE International (2018)
- EN 10088-3 / X3CrNiMoAl13-8-2 (1.4534) — CEN (2014)
- PH13-8Mo / 13-8 Stainless technical datasheet — Carpenter Technology / Cleveland-Cliffs (AK Steel) (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-2022 — Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (PH13-8Mo) — Battelle/FAA (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.