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SUS630/17-4PH Martensitic Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel

SUS630/17-4PH Martensitic Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel is a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel identified as Type 630, UNS S17400, EN 1.4542 and X5CrNiCuNb16-4. It combines high strength, adjustable hardness, good toughness and useful corrosion resistance for plastic molds, precision tooling, offshore equipment and mechanical components.

SAKY STEEL supplies SUS630 / 17-4PH flat bar in solution-treated and age-hardened conditions. Custom thickness, width, length, machined edges, ground surfaces, saw-cut blanks and drawing-based tolerances can be discussed according to the final mold or tooling application. MTC, EN 10204 3.1 and additional inspection reports can be provided according to order requirements.

Material Selection Note: SUS630 / 17-4PH is technically classified as precipitation-hardening martensitic stainless steel rather than conventional tool steel such as P20, D2 or H13. It is selected for mold and tooling components when corrosion resistance, high strength, dimensional stability and controlled age-hardening response are more important than extreme wear resistance or hot-work capability.

Product Parameters

Item Product Details
Product Name SUS630/17-4PH Martensitic Precipitation Hardening Stainless Steel
Grade SUS630 / 17-4PH / Type 630
UNS Designation UNS S17400
European Designation EN 1.4542 / X5CrNiCuNb16-4
Chinese Reference 05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb / 0Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb
Material Family Martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel
Product Form Flat bar, rectangular bar and mold blank
Thickness Range Approximately 3–200 mm or made to order
Width Range Approximately 10–500 mm or customized
Length 1000–6000 mm or custom cut-to-length
Surface Finish Black, machined, milled, ground or polished
Edge Condition Mill edge, saw-cut edge or machined edge
Delivery Condition Solution treated or precipitation aged
Standard ASTM A564 / ASME SA564 / JIS G4303
Tolerance Standard tolerance or drawing-specific tolerance
Available Services Saw cutting, milling, grinding and rough machining
Certificates MTC, EN 10204 3.1 and inspection reports

Chemical Composition

The following composition reflects the controlled reference values shown in the supplied SUS630 / 17-4PH product data. These values should be treated as product-sheet reference values rather than universal ASTM maximum or minimum limits.

Element Reference Content (%) Technical Function
Carbon (C) ≤ 0.05 Controlled to support toughness, corrosion resistance and weldability
Silicon (Si) 0.40 Acts as a deoxidizing element during melting
Manganese (Mn) 0.60 Supports deoxidation and melting control
Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.030 Restricted to maintain toughness and ductility
Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.010 Restricted to limit inclusions and improve material integrity
Chromium (Cr) 15.50 Provides stainless corrosion resistance and surface passivation
Nickel (Ni) 4.10 Supports toughness and martensitic structure control
Copper (Cu) 3.30 Produces strengthening precipitates during aging
Niobium + Tantalum 0.25 Supports precipitation hardening and microstructural stability
Iron (Fe) Balance Forms the base metal matrix
Composition Note: Some ASTM, JIS, EN or customer specifications may permit slightly different limits, including a carbon maximum of 0.07%. Actual chemical composition shall be confirmed by the applicable product specification and MTC.

Mechanical Properties and Hardness

SUS630 / 17-4PH develops its final strength and hardness through precipitation aging after solution treatment. The reference data supplied for this product indicates hardness above 40 HRC, with a typical aged hardness range of approximately 38–42 HRC.

Property Reference Value Engineering Significance
Hardness After Aging Approximately 38–42 HRC Suitable for high-strength mold and tooling components
Product-Sheet Hardness Reference ≥ 40 HRC Reference target after the stated aging treatment
Strength Level High, condition dependent Supports loaded mold inserts, fixtures and mechanical parts
Toughness Good for a precipitation-hardened stainless steel Helps resist cracking and impact during mold service
Wear Resistance Improved after aging Useful for mold components subject to sliding contact
Corrosion Resistance Good in atmospheric and mildly corrosive service Suitable for humid mold environments and selected industrial equipment
Magnetic Response Normally magnetic Typical of martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel

Actual hardness and mechanical properties depend on flat-bar thickness, solution-treatment condition, aging temperature, aging time and testing position. Guaranteed values must be confirmed by the applicable standard and MTC.

Common Size Table

Thickness Width Length Typical Surface Typical Application
3–10 mm 20–150 mm 1000–6000 mm Ground or polished Thin mold inserts and tooling strips
12–30 mm 30–250 mm 1000–6000 mm Machined or ground Precision mold components
35–80 mm 50–400 mm Custom cut length Saw cut or machined Mold cores and support blocks
85–150 mm Custom width Custom cut length Rough machined Heavy mold components
Above 150 mm Made to order Project specific Machined or milled Large mold blocks and tooling blanks

Different Specifications Comparison

Surface and Edge Condition Comparison

Condition Main Feature Recommended Use Purchase Advice
Hot-Rolled Flat Bar Economical mill surface with machining allowance General mold and tooling blanks Specify final minimum thickness and width
Saw-Cut Flat Bar Prepared rectangular blanks with cutting allowance CNC machining and custom mold parts State saw-cut tolerance and squareness
Milled Flat Bar Improved flatness and dimensional consistency Precision mold bases and inserts Specify machining allowance on all faces
Ground Flat Bar Tight thickness tolerance and smooth surface Close-tolerance inserts and precision tooling Specify flatness, parallelism and roughness
Polished Flat Bar Improved appearance and surface cleanliness Visible tooling and clean-process components State polishing grade or roughness requirement

Comparison with Related Mold Materials

Grade Main Strength Relative Limitation Typical Selection
SUS630 / 17-4PH High strength with corrosion resistance Lower wear resistance than D2-type steel Corrosion-resistant mold inserts and blocks
15-5PH Good transverse toughness and uniformity Availability can be more limited High-integrity tooling and structural parts
420 Stainless Can achieve relatively high hardness Greater hardening distortion risk Wear-oriented stainless mold parts
P20 Mold Steel Good machinability and common mold use Lower corrosion resistance General plastic injection molds
D2 Tool Steel Excellent wear resistance Lower corrosion resistance and toughness balance Cold-work dies and high-wear tools

Equivalent Standards and International Names

System Designation Relationship
JIS Grade SUS630 Japanese grade designation
Common Trade Name 17-4PH / PH17-4 Common commercial designation
ASTM Type Type 630 Recognized grade designation
UNS S17400 Unified Numbering System designation
EN Material Number 1.4542 Common European cross-reference
EN Name X5CrNiCuNb16-4 European chemical designation
Chinese Reference 05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb / 0Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb Common Chinese cross-reference
Bar and Shape Standard ASTM A564 / ASME SA564 Age-hardening stainless bars and shapes
JIS Product Reference JIS G4303 Stainless steel bars
Aerospace Reference AMS 5643 Aerospace bar, wire and forging reference
Equivalent Grade Note: SUS630, 17-4PH, Type 630, UNS S17400 and 1.4542 are widely used cross-references. The purchase order must still define the governing product standard, flat-bar dimensions, heat-treatment condition, tolerances and inspection requirements.

Production Process Flow

1. Raw Material Controlled alloying materials are prepared according to the required SUS630 chemistry.
2. Melting The melt is controlled for chromium, nickel, copper and niobium content.
3. Casting or Remelting Ingots or billets are produced, with remelting used when required.
4. Forging or Rolling The billet is reduced into rectangular bar or flat-bar form.
5. Solution Treatment The material is heated to approximately 1020–1060°C and rapidly cooled.
6. Aging Treatment Aging near 480°C develops high strength and hardness when specified.
7. Cutting and Finishing The flat bar may be saw cut, milled, ground or polished.
8. Inspection and Packing Dimensions, hardness, surface and documentation are verified before packing.

Heat Treatment

Solution Treatment

The supplied reference recommends solution treatment at approximately 1020–1060°C followed by rapid cooling. This treatment places alloying elements into solution and prepares the material for subsequent precipitation aging.

Aging Treatment

A reference aging temperature of approximately 480°C is used to develop copper-rich strengthening precipitates. Under suitable processing conditions, this treatment can produce a hardness level around 38–42 HRC.

Step 1: Solution Heating Heat the material to approximately 1020–1060°C.
Step 2: Rapid Cooling Quick cooling is used to retain the solution-treated structure.
Step 3: Aging Age at approximately 480°C according to the required hardness and specification.
Step 4: Verification Confirm hardness, dimensions and condition after heat treatment.
Heat-Treatment Note: The 480°C aging cycle is close to the high-strength H900-type condition, but the final designation must only be used when the time, temperature, cooling practice and resulting mechanical properties comply with the relevant standard.

Product Inspection

Inspection Method Purpose
Chemical Analysis Laboratory or spectrometric analysis Verify SUS630 / UNS S17400 chemistry
PMI Positive material identification Reduce grade-mix risk; available when specified
Hardness Test Rockwell hardness testing Verify the target aged hardness
Dimensional Inspection Caliper, micrometer and length measurement Verify thickness, width and length
Flatness and Parallelism Straightedge, gauge or precision measurement Confirm suitability for mold and tooling machining
Surface Inspection Visual and finish examination Identify cracks, pits, scale or handling damage
Ultrasonic Testing UT for suitable thick flat bars and blocks Evaluate internal soundness when specified
Traceability Review Heat number and document verification Link the material to the MTC and EN 10204 3.1 certificate
Third-Party Inspection SGS, BV, TÜV or appointed inspector Available when specified in the purchase order

Product Packaging

Surface Protection Finished flat bars can be protected with oil, film, VCI paper or waterproof wrapping.
Edge Protection Machined and ground edges can be protected with foam, paper or corner guards.
Pallet or Wooden Case Export pallets, skids or wooden cases are selected according to size and weight.
Heat Number Marking Grade, size, heat number and item identification are retained for traceability.
Shipping Documents Packing lists, MTC and inspection documentation accompany the shipment as required.

Applications, Corrosion Performance and Fabrication

Applications

SUS630 / 17-4PH stainless mold steel flat bar is used where high strength, corrosion resistance and age-hardening capability are required. The supplied product reference identifies offshore, lifting, food, paper, aviation, mechanical and plastic-mold applications.

Industry Typical Components Selection Reason
Offshore Platforms High-strength brackets, supports and mechanical components Strength combined with atmospheric corrosion resistance
Crane and Lifting Equipment Hoist deck parts, holders and loaded components High strength and toughness after aging
Food Industry Mold components, fixtures and machinery parts Corrosion resistance, cleanability and mechanical strength
Pulp and Paper Industry Holders, machine parts and wear components Resistance to humid industrial service and mechanical loading
Aviation Precision fittings and mechanical components High strength and dimensional stability
Mechanical Engineering Tooling plates, holders and precision components Balanced strength, toughness and machinability
Plastic Molds Mold inserts, mold cores, backing plates and support blocks Corrosion resistance, hardness and dimensional stability

Corrosion Performance

SUS630 / 17-4PH generally provides better corrosion resistance than many hardenable 400-series stainless steels. It performs well in atmospheric, humid and mildly corrosive environments, making it useful for mold components exposed to moisture, cleaning processes or selected corrosive plastic compounds.

Actual resistance depends on the aging condition, surface finish, chloride level, temperature, crevice geometry and cleaning chemicals. The material should not be described as immune to seawater or concentrated chemical attack.

Machinability

Machinability is moderate to good for a precipitation-hardening stainless steel. Major milling, drilling and pocket machining are commonly performed in the solution-treated condition before final aging. Rigid equipment, sharp carbide tools, positive cutting action and sufficient coolant are recommended.

SUS630 / 17-4PH is not as easy to machine as free-machining Type 303 stainless steel. For ground mold flat bar, final flatness, parallelism and surface roughness should be specified after the planned machining and heat-treatment sequence.

Weldability

SUS630 / 17-4PH can be welded using common processes such as GTAW, GMAW and SMAW. The welding procedure and post-weld heat treatment should be selected according to the final strength, toughness, corrosion resistance and dimensional requirements.

Application Note: Suitability for offshore, food, paper or aviation components depends on the applicable design code, surface finish, stress level, environment and qualification requirements. Material selection should be confirmed for the actual operating condition.

Why Choose SAKY STEEL?

Custom Flat-Bar Dimensions Thickness, width, length, edge condition and machining allowance can be supplied according to drawings.
Heat-Treatment Support Solution-treated and precipitation-aged conditions can be discussed according to the required hardness and performance.
Material Traceability Heat-number identification can be maintained from material documentation through final packing.
MTC and EN 10204 3.1 MTC (Mill Test Certificate / 质保书) and EN 10204 3.1 certificate can be provided according to the purchase order.
Inspection Support PMI, hardness, dimensional inspection, UT and third-party inspection can be arranged when specified.
Export Packaging Protective wrapping, edge guards, pallets, wooden cases and customized shipping marks are available.

FAQ

What is SUS630 / 17-4PH stainless steel?

SUS630 / 17-4PH is a martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel containing chromium, nickel, copper and niobium. It develops high strength and hardness through solution treatment and aging.

Is SUS630 / 17-4PH a mold steel?

It is technically a precipitation-hardening stainless steel, but it can be supplied as stainless mold steel for mold inserts, tooling plates, mold cores and corrosion-resistant mold components.

What heat treatment is used for SUS630?

A typical reference treatment uses solution heating at approximately 1020–1060°C followed by rapid cooling. Aging near 480°C may then be used to develop high strength and hardness.

What hardness can 17-4PH achieve?

The supplied reference indicates hardness above 40 HRC, with a typical range of approximately 38–42 HRC after suitable aging. Actual hardness depends on section size, aging time, aging temperature and testing position.

What applications use SUS630 flat bar?

Typical applications include plastic molds, mold inserts, tooling plates, offshore components, crane parts, food machinery, pulp and paper equipment, aviation components and precision mechanical parts.

Can ground SUS630 flat bar be supplied?

Ground, milled, machined and polished surfaces can be discussed according to the required thickness, width, flatness, parallelism and surface roughness.

Is ultrasonic testing available?

UT can be arranged for suitable thick flat bars and mold blocks when specified. The order should state the required test standard, scanning method, acceptance level and report format.

Can SAKY STEEL provide an MTC?

Yes. MTC, heat-number traceability and an EN 10204 3.1 certificate can be provided according to the order. Additional PMI, hardness, dimensional or UT reports may be arranged when specified.


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