Stainless Steel 15-5 PH Stress Relieved
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 15-5 PH · UNS S15500 · ASTM XM-12, A564 Type XM-12 · EN 1.4545, X5CrNiCu15-5 · GB 05Cr15Ni5Cu4Nb
Sub-critical thermal cycle to reduce residual stress and distortion before removal from the build plate or final machining.
Values for the Stress Relieved condition
Other 15-5 PH tempers and conditions
15-5 PH is listed in 12 conditions; see the grade overview at 15-5 PH.
Compare all 12 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Double overaged 760 °C + 621 °C | Maximum toughness/ductility variant for cryogenic and high-impact service; lowest strength of the aged conditions. | 585 | 790 | 22 | 26 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Double aged 621 °C + 621 °C | Double 1150 age for improved toughness and SCC/H2S resistance at moderate strength (oil & gas practice). | 690 | 860 | 20 | 29 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Stress RelievedThis page low-temperature stress relief of AM or machined parts | Sub-critical thermal cycle to reduce residual stress and distortion before removal from the build plate or final machining. | 780 | 1,000 | 15 | 31 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Condition ADefault solution annealed (~1040 °C, air cooled) | Standard mill-supplied condition: soft-martensitic, machinable and formable, then age-hardened by the user. | 795 | 1,030 | 14 | 33 HRC | — |
Overaged 621 °C (1150 °F) for 4 h, maximum toughness | Best toughness, ductility and SCC resistance of the single-age conditions; choose for subsea and impact-loaded parts. | 800 | 965 | 18 | 32 HRC | 21 W/m·K |
laser powder-bed fusion, as-built | As-built L-PBF condition with retained austenite and residual stress; normally heat treated before use. | 800 | 1,050 | 14 | 32 HRC | 2.1 % IACS |
Aged 593 °C (1100 °F) for 4 h | Softer age used when notch toughness and dimensional stability matter more than strength. | 900 | 1,000 | 16 | 34 HRC | 2.3 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Closes internal porosity in AM or cast parts, raising ductility, fatigue life and inspection yield. | 950 | 1,100 | 17 | 35 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Aged 579 °C (1075 °F) for 4 h | Moderate strength with good ductility and improved chloride SCC resistance. | 1,000 | 1,070 | 15 | 36 HRC | — |
Aged 552 °C (1025 °F) for 4 h | Balanced strength/toughness age widely used for aerospace and oilfield components. | 1,070 | 1,140 | 14 | 39 HRC | — |
Aged 496 °C (925 °F) for 4 h | Small strength give-back from H900 for slightly better toughness and SCC resistance. | 1,160 | 1,240 | 13 | 42 HRC | 2.2 % IACS |
Aged 482 °C (900 °F) for 1 h, peak hardness | Choose for maximum strength and hardness — aerospace fittings, shafts, valve parts; least tough and most SCC-sensitive age. | 1,275 | 1,380 | 12 | 44 HRC | 18 W/m·K |
What is 15-5 PH Stress Relieved?
15-5 PH Stress Relieved is 15-5 PH heat treated to Stress Relieved — sub-critical thermal cycle to reduce residual stress and distortion before removal from the build plate or final machining. 15-5 PH Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 95% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi). 15-5 PH Stress Relieved has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Condition A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Stress Relieved is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 780 MPa (113 ksi), better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 90 MPa·√m (81.9 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades
15-5 PH Stress Relieved properties
Typical room-temperature values for 15-5 PH Stress Relieved; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 15-5 PH reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
15-5 PH Stress Relieved has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical16
15-5 PH Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 95% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 190 GPa (27.6 Msi).
Thermal6
15-5 PH Stress Relieved is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 18 W/m·K (10.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 73% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
15-5 PH Stress Relieved conducts electricity at 2.2 % IACS, worse than 61% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 15-5 PH Stress Relieved takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
15-5 PH Stress Relieved's machinability is fair (44/100, better than 81% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 15-5 PH Stress Relieved
Is 15-5 PH easy to machine?
Machine in Condition A or H1150 with rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds and flood coolant; avoid dwelling — the alloy work-hardens, and H900 material cuts at roughly 30 % of AISI 1212.
Can 15-5 PH be welded?
Readily GTAW/GMAW/EB welded without preheat using 15-5 PH or 17-4 PH filler; re-solution treat and age (or at minimum re-age) after welding to restore properties in the HAZ.
Can 15-5 PH be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in Condition A and expect high springback and forces; hot work at 1150–1200 °C and never finish below ~925 °C, followed by full solution treatment.
What surface finishes work on 15-5 PH?
Takes a fine mechanical polish thanks to low inclusion content; passivate per AMS 2700/ASTM A967 after machining, and avoid electroplating in H900 unless baked for hydrogen embrittlement relief.
15-5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A564 Type XM-12 | ≤ 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 14 – 15.5 | 15 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Cu | 2.5 – 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Nb+Tacolumbium + tantalum, precipitation stabiliser | 0.15 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance | — |
15-5 PH Stress Relieved — frequently asked
What is 15-5 PH Stress Relieved used for?
15-5 PH Stress Relieved is typically used for aerospace valve bodies, gears and shafts, landing gear and structural fittings, aerospace fasteners, injection mould inserts and pump and compressor components. In short: versatile high-strength PH.
What is the yield strength of 15-5 PH Stress Relieved?
15-5 PH Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 95% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 12 listed tempers.
Is 15-5 PH Stress Relieved easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, better than 81% of stainless steel grades). Machine in Condition A or H1150 with rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feeds and flood coolant; avoid dwelling — the alloy work-hardens, and H900 material cuts at roughly 30 % of AISI 1212.
Can 15-5 PH Stress Relieved be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily GTAW/GMAW/EB welded without preheat using 15-5 PH or 17-4 PH filler; re-solution treat and age (or at minimum re-age) after welding to restore properties in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 15-5 PH Stress Relieved?
Takes a fine mechanical polish thanks to low inclusion content; passivate per AMS 2700/ASTM A967 after machining, and avoid electroplating in H900 unless baked for hydrogen embrittlement relief.
Can 15-5 PH Stress Relieved be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in Condition A and expect high springback and forces; hot work at 1150–1200 °C and never finish below ~925 °C, followed by full solution treatment.
What is the maximum service temperature of 15-5 PH Stress Relieved?
15-5 PH Stress Relieved is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 15-5 PH Condition A and 15-5 PH-H900?
Condition A is the default condition — standard mill-supplied condition: soft-martensitic, machinable and formable, then age-hardened by the user. H900: choose for maximum strength and hardness — aerospace fittings, shafts, valve parts; least tough and most SCC-sensitive age. Yield strength is 795 MPa in Condition A versus 1,275 MPa in H900.
Can FabDigit make parts in 15-5 PH Stress Relieved?
Yes — 15-5 PH Stress Relieved is available for CNC machining, sheet metal and 3D printing 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 and Shapes (Type XM-12) — ASTM International (2019)
- ASTM A693 — Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2016)
- AMS 5659 — Steel, Corrosion-Resistant, Bars, Wire, Forgings 15Cr-4.5Ni-3.5Cu — SAE International (2018)
- EN 10088-3 / 1.4545 X5CrNiCu15-5 — CEN (2014)
- 15-5 PH Stainless Steel Product Data Bulletin — AK Steel / Cleveland-Cliffs (2015)
- Custom 15-5 PH Alloy Technical Datasheet — Carpenter Technology (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- MMPDS-17 (Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization) — 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.