15-5PH Stainless Steel Supplier | Aerospace Grade Bar, Plate and Sheet Solutions

GNEE offers a stable supply of 15-5PH (UNS S15500) precipitation-hardening stainless steel in the form of bars (06–300 mm) and plates/sheets (0.5–80 mm thick), all compliant with ASTM A564/A693 standards. Products are available in a full range of solution-annealed and aged conditions (such as H900, H1025, and H1150); following precipitation hardening, they achieve a tensile strength (Rm) of up to >1310 MPa and a yield strength (Rp0.2) of ≥1170 MPa. The entire product line undergoes 100% ultrasonic testing (meeting Class AAA standards).

We provide on-demand cutting services with dimensional tolerances precisely controlled to within ±0.05 mm, and supply EN 10204 3.1 quality certificates detailing full chemical composition and mechanical property test results.

 

Fabrication & Heat Treatment Notes

Solution Anneal: 1,900 – 1,950 °F (1,040 – 1,065 °C), water quench → soft, magnetic, machinable.

Aging: 900 – 1,150 °F (480 – 620 °C), 2–4 hr, air cool → precipitate hardening.

Machining: Best done in Annealed (A) condition; H900+ requires carbide or HSS with low feeds.

Welding: Difficult in hardened condition; weld in annealed, then re-age the full assembly.

Forming: Sheet/plate is formed in A or H1150 condition (softest), then aged after forming.

Inspection: Aerospace-grade (AMS 5659 Type 1/2) requires full radiographic + magnetic particle inspection per bar.

 

15-5PH Stainless Steel Standard

Form	ASTM	ASME	AMS	Other
Bar	A564 / A484	SA-564	AMS 5659	BMS 7-240, STD 2154
Plate / Sheet / Strip	A693 / A698 / A705	SA-693 / SA-705	AMS 5862	BMS 7-240, GE S400
Metric (EN)	-	-	-	1.4545 (X4CrNiCuNb16-4)

 

15-5PH Stainless Steel Chemical Composition

Element	Range (%)
Carbon	≤ 0.07
Chromium	14.00 – 15.50
Nickel	3.50 – 5.50
Copper	2.50 – 4.50
Nb + Ta	0.15 – 0.45
Manganese	≤ 1.00
Silicon	≤ 1.00

 

15-5PH Stainless Steel Mechanical Properties by Heat Treatment Condition

Condition	UTS (ksi)	0.2% Yield (ksi)	Elongation (%)	Hardness (HRC)
A (Annealed)	150	110	8–15	≤ 33
H900 (900 °F / 482 °C)	190	170	10–15	40–47
H925	170	155	10	38–45
H1025	155	145	12	35–42
H1075	145	125	13	33–39
H1100	140	115	14	32–38
H1150	135	105	15–16	28–37
H1150M (Modified)	135	105	15	28–37

 

15-5PH Stainless Steel Size Ranges by Form

Form	Typical Range	Notes
Round Bar	⅛" – 6.5" (3 – 165 mm) dia.	AMS 5659; VAR or ESR melt
Square / Hex Bar	¼" – 4" (6 – 100 mm)
Flat Bar	⅛" – 2" thick × ⅜" – 12" wide
Plate	3/16" – 4" (5 – 100 mm) thick	ASTM A693; widths up to 120"
Sheet / Strip	0.025" – 0.250" (0.6 – 6.3 mm)	AMS 5862; 2D or BA finish; widths to 48"

 

15-5PH Stainless Steel Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	0.280 – 0.284 lb/in³ (7.75 – 7.86 g/cm³)
Melting Range	2,510 – 2,550 °F (1,375 – 1,395 °C)
Thermal Conductivity (70 °F)	~10.6 Btu/hr·ft·°F (18 W/m·K)
Electrical Resistivity	77 – 98 μΩ·in
Magnetic	Yes (all conditions)

 

15-5PH Stainless Steel Applications

Industry	Components
Aerospace	Landing gear parts, engine mounts, actuator pins, fasteners, structural fittings, turbine blades
Nuclear / Power	Reactor internals, containment components, turbine shafts
Oil & Gas	Downhole tools, valve bodies, pump shafts, wellhead fittings (H₂S resistant)
Marine / Offshore	Propeller shafts, offshore rigging, high-strength fasteners
General Industrial	Gears, molding dies, pulp & paper equipment, food processing shafts

 

FAQ

Q: What exactly is the difference between 15-5PH and 17-4PH?
15-5PH is an "upgraded version" of 17-4PH. 15-5PH is produced using **Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) or Electroslag Remelting (ESR)** processes, resulting in higher material purity and a virtually ferrite-free microstructure; it is typically 15%–30% more expensive than 17-4PH.
17-4PH has relatively poor transverse (radial) toughness. If you are manufacturing large parts that must withstand high transverse loads (such as large pump shafts or aircraft structural components), you must choose 15-5PH due to its excellent isotropy.

Q: Can 15-5PH replace 316L?
It is not a direct substitute.
Strength: 15-5PH is 3 to 4 times stronger than 316L.
Corrosion resistance: The corrosion resistance of 15-5PH is comparable to 304 but inferior to 316L (especially in marine environments containing chloride ions).
Conclusion: Choose 15-5PH if you require high strength and hardness; choose 316L or super duplex stainless steel if you require superior rust and corrosion resistance.

Q: Is 15-5PH difficult to machine?
A: Its machinability is similar to that of 304 stainless steel. Since it is prone to work-hardening, it is recommended to use high-hardness carbide tools and maintain continuous cutting.

Q: Does 15-5PH require preheating for welding?
A: Generally, no.
Unlike standard martensitic stainless steels, 15-5PH has a very low carbon content, making it less susceptible to weld cracking.
However, note that to achieve strength equivalent to the base metal, a full heat treatment (re-solution treatment followed by aging) is required after welding.

Q: Why do aerospace parts often require AMS 5659 compliance?

A: AMS 5659 is the aerospace-grade standard for 15-5PH bars and forgings. It mandates that the material be produced using the VAR (Vacuum Arc Remelting) process. If your customer specifies the AMS standard, standard ASTM A564 material may not meet the requirements for material purity and ultrasonic testing.

 

Q: Is this material in stock? What is the typical lead time?
A:Round Bar: Stock is plentiful, especially for specifications meeting AMS 5659 or ASTM A564.
Plate: Stock is relatively limited; large sizes may require a custom order from the mill.
Forgings: Typically require a 4–6 week lead time for custom production.