15-5 PH Stainless Steel Bar - AMS 5862 - UNS S15500
15-5 PH stainless steel is a martensitic, precipitation-hardening material with chromium, nickel and copper. It is often a first choice in the aerospace industry for fasteners and structural components. Its unique structure provides increased toughness and better corrosion resistance than its predecessor, 17-4 PH. Both inclusion control and a minimized amount of delta ferrite as compared to 17-4 PH stainless steel contribute to the greater toughness of 15-5 PH. The alloy is further strengthened by a low temperature heat treatment which precipitates a copper containing phase in the alloy.
- Inventory & Specs
- Chemical Composition
- Physical Properties
- Mechanical Properties
- Datasheet
- Additional Info
- FAQs
Inventory Size Ranges for 15-5 PH
| Type | Thickness | AMS Standards | ASTM | UNS | ASME | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plate | 0.500" - 4.000" | AMS 5862 | ASTM A693 | UNS S15500 | ASME SA-693 | Get a Quote |
| Bar | 0.500" - 6.500" | AMS 5659 | ASTM A564 | UNS S15500 | ASME SA-564 | Get a Quote |
Advanced Inventory Size Ranges for 15-5 PH
| Type | Size Range | Specifications | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Platform | 0.500" - 5.000" | AMS 5862, ASTM A693, UNS S15500, ASME SA-693 | Get a Quote |
| Powder | 15um - 106um | AMS 5659 | Get a Quote |
Characteristics of 15-5 PH
This material has high strength and hardness. In general, the corrosion resistance of 15-5 PH is superior to that of the hardenable 400 series stainless steels. 15-5 PH has better corrosion resistance compared to 17-4 PH. The oxidation resistance of the 15-5 PH is superior to that of 12 percent chromium alloys like Type 410, but slightly inferior to that of Type 430. Precipitation hardening can produce surface oxidation.
Working with 15-5 PH
15-5 PH stainless steel flat-roll product is produced in the annealed condition. Annealing is conducted by heat treating at approximately 1900°F (1040°C) to 1950°F (1065°C) and cooling to room temperature. In this condition, the material possesses a martensitic structure. As a martensitic material, the 15-5 PH alloy possesses a relatively high strength and hardness in the annealed condition. To develop further increase in strength, the annealed material is precipitation hardened by heat treatments at 900°F (482°C). These precipitation hardening heat treatments increase ductility and toughness while they harden the material. However, the precipitation hardening reaction can be driven past peak strength by heat treating at an excessively high temperature or by extended time at the precipitation temperature. Heat treatments above 1075°F (579°C) generally result in material softer than material in the annealed condition.
15-5 PH stainless steel is readily welded using conventional inert gas methods used for stainless grades. Preheating is not usually required. Postweld heat treating is needed to produce the various precipitation hardened heat treatment properties. More uniform mechanical properties can be obtained by solution annealing the material before conducting precipitation hardening heat treatments. The solution anneal has the effect of minimizing the effects of the thermal cycling.
Other industry standards we comply with:
- DFARS Compliant
Common Trade Names
- 15-5 PH
- AK Steel 15-5 PH®
- ATI 15-5™
- ATI 15-5-MIL™
Industry Applications for 15-5 PH
- Aerospace applications
- Fasteners
- Oil & Gas applications
- Power generation
- Valves, gears and pumps
- Food processing
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min | Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Carbon | - | 0.07 |
| Cr | Chromium | 14.0 | 15.5 |
| Cu | Copper | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Fe | Iron | - | Balance |
| Si | Silicon | - | 1.00 |
| S | Sulfur | - | 0.03 |
| Ni | Nickel | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| Mn | Manganese | - | 1.0 |
| P | Phosphorus | - | 0.04 |
| Nb Ta | Niobium plus Tantalum | 0.15 | 0.45 |
Physical Properties
| Condition | A | H900 | H 1075 | H1150 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density lb/in3 (g/cm3) | 0.280 (7.75) | 0.282 (7.81) | 0.283 (7.83) | 0.284 (7.86) |
| Thermal Conductivity 70-212° | 10.6 | 10.3 | - | - |
| Thermal Conductivity 70-932° | 13.1 | 13.1 | - | - |
| Electrical Resistivity | 98 | 77 | 80 | 86 |
Mechanical Properties
| Condition | Ultimate Tensile Strenght | Yield Strength | Elongation | Reduction of Area | Hardness Brinell | Hardness Rockwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H900 | 190,000 | 170,000 | 6 | 15 | 388 | C40 |
| H1025 | 155,000 | 125,000 | 8 | 27 | 331 | C35 |
| H1075 | 145,000 | 125,000 | 9 | 28 | 311 | C32 |
| H1150 | 135,000 | 105,000 | 11 | 30 | 277 | C28 |
| H1150-M | 115,000 | 75,000 | 14 | 35 | 255 | - |
Datasheet
Additional Info
A Brief History of 15-5 PH Stainless Steel
15‑5 PH is a martensitic precipitation‑hardening stainless steel containing roughly 15% chromium and 5% nickel. It was created as a refined variant of 17-4 PH stainless, which had been widely used since the 1940s. By the 1960s, metallurgists developed 15-5 PH to address limitations in 17-4 PH, specifically improving transverse toughness, ductility, and consistency in larger cross sections.
How 201 Nickel Was Developed
Engineers modified the composition and processing of 17-4 PH to create a more uniform and tougher alloy. The key development goals included reducing microstructural defects found in 17 -4 PH, improving transverse mechanical properties, enhancing forgeability and weldability, and improving corrosion resistance. Controlled melting practices such as vacuum and arc remelting were used to produce a more uniform microstructure. Copper was retained as a key element to enable precipitation hardening, while chromium and nickel levels were optimized for corrosion resistance and toughness.
Early Applications of 201 Nickel
Because of its high strength, corrosion resistance, and improved toughness, early adoption centered on high-performance engineering sectors, such as aerospace components, military hardware, high-pressure chemical processing equipment, and nuclear and marine engineering. These industries valued the alloy's ability to maintain strength after a single low-temperature heat treatment and its superior performance in larger cross-sections compared to 17-4 PH.
How 201 Nickel Is Used Today
15-5 PH remains a major high-performance stainless steel in modern engineering due to its excellent combination of strength and corrosion resistance. Today, we see this alloy used in the following applications:
- Aerospace: Landing gear components, structural fittings, engine parts, actuation systems
- Industrial & Energy: High pressure valves and pumps, petrochemical processing equipment, nuclear reactor components, turbine parts
- Medical: Surgical equipment, medical tools, high-precision machined parts
- Automotive & Transportation: High-strength shafts, high-performance drivetrain components
Your Trusted Supplier for 15-5 PH
United Performance Metals offers 15-5 PH plate 0.500" - 4.000" and bar 0.500" - 6.500". 15-5 PH stainless steel is able to meet the stringent mechanical properties required in the aerospace and nuclear industries. It is also widely used in food processing, paper, and general metalworking industries.
Product FAQs
Key properties of 15-5 PH include high tensile and yield strength, excellent toughness, and good corrosion resistance. This alloy also has the ability to be heat-treated to multiple conditions.
The key difference between 15-5 PH and 17-4 PH is their chemical makeup and properties. 15-5 PH has better toughness and transverse properties due to improved melting practices.
Compared to other high strength stainless steels, the machinability of 15-5 Ph is good. It is best machined in the solution-annealed condition and becomes more difficult to machine after aging. Sharp tools and controlled speeds improve machining results.