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Stainless Steel 15-7 Mo Condition C

Supply condition

UNS S15700 · AISI/SAE PH15-7Mo · ASTM A693 · also Alloy 632

Cold-rolled hard strip supplied for spring and diaphragm stock, normally aged afterwards to CH900.

CNC machiningSheet metalPremium cost $$$

Values for the Condition C condition

Other 15-7 Mo tempers and conditions

15-7 Mo is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 15-7 Mo.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
solution annealed (~1065 °C, air cooled)
Standard mill-supplied soft condition for blanking, forming and welding before hardening.4159502513 HRC2.1 % IACS
austenite conditioned at 760 °C (1400 °F), cooled to ≤16 °C
Intermediate martensitic state produced before the 1050 °F age; supplied only as a processing step, straightening/limited forming still possible.7601,0301032 HRC2.2 % IACS
Austenite conditioned at 954 °C (1750 °F) + refrigerated to −73 °C
Transformed-to-martensite state preceding the RH950 age; used when maximum aged strength is required.8601,170736 HRC2.2 % IACS
Condition CThis page
cold rolled to ~60 % reduction (strip)
Cold-rolled hard strip supplied for spring and diaphragm stock, normally aged afterwards to CH900.1,3101,450243 HRC2.1 % IACS
Austenite conditioned at 760 °C, cooled, then aged 566 °C
The workhorse hardened condition: ~1400 MPa with usable ductility and best toughness of the aged states.1,3451,415745 HRC—
Austenite conditioned at 954 °C, refrigerated −73 °C, aged 510 °C
Highest-strength heat-treated condition for springs and highly loaded sheet parts; least ductile and most SCC-sensitive.1,5201,620648 HRC—
Condition C strip aged 482 °C
Maximum-strength thin strip/wire condition for springs, bellows and diaphragms; very low ductility.1,6551,725248 HRC16 W/m·K

What is 15-7 Mo Condition C?

15-7 Mo Condition C is 15-7 Mo supplied in the Condition C condition — cold-rolled hard strip supplied for spring and diaphragm stock, normally aged afterwards to CH900. 15-7 Mo Condition C has a yield strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 15-7 Mo Condition C 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; Condition C is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,310 MPa (190 ksi), better than 99% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 30/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 315°C (599 °F), worse than 85% of stainless steel grades

15-7 Mo Condition C properties

Typical room-temperature values for 15-7 Mo Condition C; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 15-7 Mo reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

15-7 Mo Condition C 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).

Density7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,400°C2,552 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,440°C2,624 °F

Mechanical16

15-7 Mo Condition C has a yield strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus77 GPa11.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,450 MPa210 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,310 MPa190 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Reduction in Area10%
Compressive Strength1,300 MPa189 ksi
Shear Strength870 MPa126 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)10 J7.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell400 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B92 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C43 HRC
Hardness, Vickers420 HV

Thermal6

15-7 Mo Condition C is rated for continuous service to 315°C (599 °F). It conducts heat at 16.3 W/m·K (9.42 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 68% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity16.3 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)315°C599 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

15-7 Mo Condition C conducts electricity at 2.1 % IACS, worse than 73% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.1 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity8.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m32.3 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.1 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood58/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryBetter pitting/crevice resistance than 17-7 PH thanks to 2–3% Mo, roughly between 430 and 304; resists atmospheric, mild acid and fresh-water service but not warm chlorides, seawater or reducing acids. Hardened conditions are more susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking than the annealed state.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 15-7 Mo Condition C takes about 68 MJ of energy and emits 5.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)68 MJ/kg29,235 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)5.4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water200 L/kg24 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

15-7 Mo Condition C's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityPoor20/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityPoor30/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use passivation per AMS 2700 or electropolishing instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 15-7 Mo Condition C

Is 15-7 Mo easy to machine?

Machine in Condition A with rigid setups, positive rake carbide and heavy coolant (work-hardens strongly); after TH1050/RH950 expect grinding or low-feed carbide finishing only, so rough to near net size before aging.

Can 15-7 Mo be welded?

GTAW/resistance welding is practical with matching or 17-7 PH filler and no preheat, but the joint must receive the full austenite-conditioning + aging cycle to recover strength; avoid welding in the aged condition.

Can 15-7 Mo be formed, bent or molded?

Form, blank and draw only in Condition A allowing for high springback and dimensional growth (~0.5 %) during aging; hardened tempers are essentially non-formable.

What surface finishes work on 15-7 Mo?

Passivate per AMS 2700/ASTM A967 after machining; grit-blast or pickle scale from heat treatment, and use bright-dip/electropolish or mechanical polish for cosmetic surfaces (no anodizing).

15-7 Mo 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C≤ 0.090.07
Mn≤ 10.5
Si≤ 10.4
P≤ 0.04—
S≤ 0.03—
Cr14 – 1615.2
Ni6.5 – 7.757.1
Mo2 – 32.5
Alprecipitation hardener (NiAl)0.75 – 1.51.1
Febalance—

15-7 Mo Condition C — frequently asked

What is 15-7 Mo Condition C used for?

15-7 Mo Condition C is typically used for aerospace springs, washers and fittings. In short: high-strength PH stainless.

What is the yield strength of 15-7 Mo Condition C?

15-7 Mo Condition C has a typical yield strength of 1,310 MPa (190 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 99% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is 15-7 Mo Condition C easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades). Machine in Condition A with rigid setups, positive rake carbide and heavy coolant (work-hardens strongly); after TH1050/RH950 expect grinding or low-feed carbide finishing only, so rough to near net size before aging.

Can 15-7 Mo Condition C be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). GTAW/resistance welding is practical with matching or 17-7 PH filler and no preheat, but the joint must receive the full austenite-conditioning + aging cycle to recover strength; avoid welding in the aged condition.

What surface finishes work on 15-7 Mo Condition C?

Passivate per AMS 2700/ASTM A967 after machining; grit-blast or pickle scale from heat treatment, and use bright-dip/electropolish or mechanical polish for cosmetic surfaces (no anodizing).

Can 15-7 Mo Condition C be formed, bent or molded?

Form, blank and draw only in Condition A allowing for high springback and dimensional growth (~0.5 %) during aging; hardened tempers are essentially non-formable.

What is the maximum service temperature of 15-7 Mo Condition C?

15-7 Mo Condition C is rated for continuous use to about 315°C (599 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 15-7 Mo Condition A and 15-7 Mo-CH900?

Condition A is the default condition — standard mill-supplied soft condition for blanking, forming and welding before hardening. CH900: maximum-strength thin strip/wire condition for springs, bellows and diaphragms; very low ductility. Yield strength is 415 MPa in Condition A versus 1,655 MPa in CH900.

Can FabDigit make parts in 15-7 Mo Condition C?

Yes — 15-7 Mo Condition C is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. AMS 5520 — Steel, Corrosion and Heat Resistant, Sheet, Strip and Plate 15Cr-7Ni-2.5Mo-1.1Al — SAE International (2020)
  2. AMS 5657 — Steel, Corrosion Resistant, Bars and Wire, 15Cr-7Ni-2.5Mo-1.1Al — SAE International (2018)
  3. ASTM A693 — Precipitation-Hardening Stainless and Heat-Resisting Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip — ASTM (2016)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. MMPDS — Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization, PH stainless section — Battelle/FAA (2023)
  6. PH 15-7 Mo semi-austenitic precipitation-hardening stainless datasheet — Cleveland-Cliffs (AK Steel) / Carpenter Technology (2021)

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.