If you work in manufacturing, you may encounter different types of stainless steel, but the qualities and properties of each type stainless are not always obvious…so ISW is here to help, with our Stainless Steel Mini Series! Today we’re breaking down yet another popular type of stainless steel: 17-7.
17-7 is a stainless steel alloy that contains 17% chromium and 7% nickel.
17-7 stainless steel is a precipitation hardening stainless steel that provides high strength and hardness, excellent fatigue properties, good corrosion resistance, and minimum distortion upon heat treatment.
It is a semi-austenitic stainless steel, meaning that it is austenitic in the annealed condition but martensitic in the hardened condition.
17-7 PH stainless steel is the precipitation hardened version of the alloy. It is strengthened by forming fine particles of copper and nickel within the microstructure of the steel. This gives it high strength and hardness, excellent fatigue properties, and good corrosion resistance.
17-7 NH stainless steel is the non-precipitation hardened version of the alloy. It is not as strong or hard as 17-7 PH stainless steel, but it is more ductile and easier to weld. It is also less expensive.
To determine if a particular piece of stainless steel is 17-7 PH or 17-7 NH, you can check the material certification. The certification will list the chemical composition and heat treatment of the material.
17-7 NH stainless steel is commonly used in applications where high strength is not required, such as automotive trim, architectural components, and food processing equipment.17-7 stainless steel has good corrosion resistance in fresh water and industrial atmospheres, and mild chemical and oxidizing environments. It is comparable to 304 stainless steel in terms of corrosion resistance.
17-7 stainless steel is commonly used in a variety of applications, including:
- Aerospace parts
- Chemical processing equipment
- Springs and washers
- Heat exchangers
- Power boilers
- Superheater tubes
- Components used in high-strength/high-temperature conditions
Looking for 17-7 Stainless Wire? The experts at ISW can help! Get a quote from us fast by emailing us at quotes@industeel.com or fill out the quote form here.
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