Hempel Special Metals

XM-12 / 1.4545 / 15-5 PH

Wido Glombitza

Business Unit Manager Medical, Aerospace, Industry

+41 (0)44 823 88 27
Wido Glombitza

15-5PH is a variant of the older 17-4PH chromium-nickel-copper precipitation hardening stainless steel. Both alloys exhibit high strength and moderate corrosion resistance. High strength is maintained to approximately 600 degrees F. The 15-5 alloy was designed to have greater toughness than 17-4. This improved toughness is achieved by reduced delta ferrite content and control of inclusion size and shape. The fabrication characteristics of 15 – 5 PH are similar to those of other precipitation hardening grades; they can be age hardened by a single step, low temperature treatment.

UNS S15500
AMS5658
AMS5659
ASTM 564
DFARS Compliant
AMS5862
AMS5562

Main fields of application of 1.4545

  • Valve parts
  • Fittings and fasteners
  • Shafts
  • Gears
  • Chemical process equipment
  • Paper mill equipment
  • Aircraft components
  • Nuclear reactor components

Chemical composition of 1.4545

Element%
Cr14,0 - 15,5
Si1,0
Ni3,5-5,5
Mn1,0
Cu2,5-4,5
P0,04
Cmax 0,07
S0,03
Nb + Ta0,15 - 0,45

Properties of 1.4534

AnnealedSpecification Values
Tensile Strength Rm1000-1100 MPa
Elongation A5 - 8
Aged at 480 ⁰CSpecification Values
Tensile Strength Rm1150 – 1350 MPa
Elongation A7 - 15

Heat Treatment

The key to the properties of precipitation hardening stainless steels lies in heat treatment. Heat treatments are used to strengthen 15-5 alloys. There are eight standard conditions for 15-5 stainless steel after treatment - H 900, H 925, H 1025, H 1075, H 1100, H 1150, H 1150+1150, and H 1150-M. Heat treating 15-5 PH follows the following steps:

  1. Conditioning using austenite
  2. Air cooling, which turns the austenite into martensite
  3. Precipitation hardening until the desired condition is reached

15-5 PH can be further heat-treated when in precipitation-hardened condition to provide improved resistance to stress corrosion cracking for high temperature applications. Fabrication is recommended after the metal has been heat treated to minimize distortion and stress.

Mechanical Properties of 1.4534

ConditionUTSYield StrengthElongationReduction of AreaHardness BrinellHardness Rockwell
H900190.000170.000615388C40
H1025155.000125.000827331C35
H1075145.000125.000928311C32
H1150135.000105.0001130277C28
H1150m115.00075.0001435255

Delivery Program

Hempel Special Metals are able to supply this grade in many of the conditions in the following forms:

  • Sheets / Plates: 6.35mm < 101.6mm
  • Bars from: 10mm < 200mm Dia