DATASHEET

POWDERRANGE® 15-5PH

Applicable specifications: AMS5659

Associated specifications: UNS S15500, ASTM A564/A564M, AMS7021

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Type analysis

Single figures are nominal except where noted.

Iron Balance
Copper 2.50–4.50 %
Molybdenum 0.50 %
Carbon 0.070 %
Sulfur 0.015 %
Chromium 14.00–15.50 %
Manganese 1.00 %
Niobium 5x C to 0.45 %
Oxygen 0.030 %
Nickel 3.50–5.50 %
Silicon 1.00 %
Nitrogen 0.10 %
Phosphorus 0.030 %

Description

PowderRange® 15-5PH stainless steel is a martensitic precipitation/age-hardening stainless-steel similar to 17-4PH offering higher strength and hardness, along with excellent corrosion resistance, up to 600°F (316°C). It has good fabricating characteristics and can be age-hardened using a single-step, low temperature treatment that can be chosen to achieve specific strength and toughness combinations. Due to this balanced combination of performance and ease of use in AM, 15-5PH stainless steel has been used for a wide variety of additive manufacturing applications, including rapid tooling, functional components in nearly every market, and prototyping.

Key Properties

  • Good strength, toughness, hardness, and ductility
  • Good corrosion resistance

Markets

Applications:

  • Surgical instruments and tools
  • Valves and fittings
  • Pumps and impellers
  • Tooling
  • Manifolds
  • Industrial and chemical processing equipment

Powder properties

Part Number PowderRange® 155 F
Application L-PBF1
Maximum Particle Size Max 1 wt% > 53 µm2
Minimum Particle Size Max 10 vol% < 15 µm3
LSD Percentile D10, D50, D903, reported
Atomization Nitrogen Gas Atomized
Apparent Density (G/CM3) Measured according to ASTM B2124 and reported
Hall Flow (S/50G) Measured according to ASTM B2135 and reported

1ASTM/ISO 52900: Laser—Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), Electron-Beam Powder Bed Fusion (EB-PBF), Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
2ASTM B214 Standard Test Method for Sieve Analysis for Metal Powders 
3 ASTM B822 Standard Test Method for Particle Size Distribution of Metal Powders and Related Compounds by Light Scattering 
4 ASTM B212 Standard Test Method for Apparent Density of Free-Flowing Metal Powders Using the Hall Flowmeter Funnel 
5 ASTM B213 Standard Test Method for Flow Rate of Metal Powders Using the Hall Flowmeter Funnel
Testing of powder will fulfill certification requirements to Nadcap Materials Testing and ISO/IEC 17025 Chemical, per relevant ASTM procedures

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FIGURE 1—SEM IMAGE OF TYPICAL PowderRange 15-5PH POWDER

Additive manufacturing process guidance

ASTM/ISO 52900: LASER-POWDER BED FUSION (L-PBF)

Laser-Powder Bed Fusion(L-PBF) As-built

PowderRange 15-5PH is compatible with all commercially available L-PBF equipment.

To achieve mean, as-built density >99.9%, 20 to 60 µm layer thicknesses and Specific Energy ≥ 50 J/mm3 is recommended.

Stress relief

Stress relieve at 1250°F (677°C) for 1 hour per inch of thickness (minimum 2 hours) up to 4 hours.

Homogenization (Hom)

Carpenter Additive recommends a homogenization treatment at 2000°F (1093°C) for 1 hour followed by an air cool to minimize anisotropy. If performing a HIP step, a separate homogenization treatment is not required.

Hot Isostatic Press (HIP/Sol/H900)

We recommend HIP as standard practice for microstructure homogenization, removal of residual spatter-induced voids, trapped gas porosity in powder and keyhole porosity, as well as to heal any shrinkage-induced micro-cracks in the material.

To achieve up to full density (100%): Process components under argon at not less than 14.5 ksi (100 MPa) at a temperature of approximately 2087°F (1141°C); hold at the selected temperature for approximately 240 min then cool under inert atmosphere to below 800°F (427°C).

Follow with Solution Anneal and Age treatment as described below

Solution Annealand Age Condition (Hom/Sol/H900)

After either homogenization or HIP’ing, Solution Anneal at 1900°F (1038°C) per ASTM A564/A564M for 0.5 hours, cool to below 90°F (32°C) to achieve complete transformation to martensite.

Sections under 3in. (76mm) can be quenched in a suitable liquid quenchant (e.g. water or oil) and sections over 3in. (76mm) should be rapidly air cooled. It is recommended not use this Solution Annealed condition, without age hardening, for the final product due to susceptibility to stress-corrosion cracking.

After Solution Anneal, age material as desired per ASTM A564/A564M, e.g. 900°F (482°C) for 1 hour and air cool.

Machinability

PowderRange 15-5PH is readily machined in both the solution-treated and various age-hardened conditions. In the solution-treated condition, it machines similarly to stainless steel types 302 and 304.

When using carbide tools, surface speed feet/minute (SFPM) can be increased between 2 and 3 times over the high-speed suggestions. Feeds can be increased between 50 and 100%.

TYPICAL MICROSTRUCTURES

CONDITION

TRANSVERSE (X-Y PLANE)

LONGITUDINAL (Y-Z PLANE)

NOTES

As-built

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Mean densities greater than 99.9%

HIP/Sol/Age

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Up to 100% density

As-built, etched6

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Typical pre-solutionized PowderRange 15-5PH microstructure, consisting of martensite with minimal carbide precipitates

Hom/Sol/ H900, etched6

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Average grain size ASTM 7-87 Typical PowderRange 15-5PH aged martensitic microstructure

HIP/Sol/ H900, etched6
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Average grain size ASTM 7-87 Typical PowderRange 15-5PH aged martensitic microstructure

6 Etched with Ralph’s etchant
7 ASTM E112 Standard Test Method for Determining Average Grain Size

Typical achievable mechanical properties

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8 Average of a minimum of 5 samples taken from across the extents of a build plate in each orientation and for each heat treatment. Testing performed in accordance with ASTM E8/E8M-16a (tensile), ASTM E23-18 (impact energy), and ASTM E18-19 (hardness). Additional data may be available through a wide range of consortia and other collaborations. Please contact Carpenter Additive for additional information.
9 ASTM A564A564M-13 XM-12 H900 Mechanical Test Requirements after Age Hardening Heat Treatment

Corrosion resistance

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following 4-level rating scale (Excellent, Good, Moderate, Restricted) is intended for comparative purposes only and is derived from experiences with wrought product. Additive manufactured material may perform differently; corrosion testing is recommended. Factors that affect corrosion resistance include temperature, concentration, pH, impurities, aeration, velocity, crevices, deposits, metallurgical condition, stress, surface finish, and dissimilar metal contact.

Nitric Acid Good
Phosphoric Acid Restricted
Sodium Hydroxide Restricted
Sea Water Excellent
Humidity Moderate
Sulfuric Acid Restricted
Acetic Acid Moderate
Salt Spray (NaCl) Good
Sour Oil/Gas Restricted

Similar materials

Company
Other Generic Names
Concept Laser
EOS
DMG Mori (Realizer)
Renishaw
SLM Solutions
Alternative Title
1.4540, 15-5PH
PH1
1.4545 (15-5PH)

For additional information, please

contact your nearest sales office:

info@carpenteradditive.com  | 610 208 2000

The mechanical and physical properties of any additively-manufactured

material are strongly dependent on the processing conditions used to

produce the final part. Significantly differing properties can be obtained by

utilizing different equipment, different process parameters, different build

rates and different geometries. The properties listed are intended as a

guide only and should not be used as design data.

The information and data presented herein are typical or average values

and are not a guarantee of maximum or minimum values. Applications

specifically suggested for material described herein are made solely for the

purpose of illustration to enable the reader to make his/her own evaluation

and are not intended as warranties, either express or implied, of fitness for

these or other purposes. There is no representation that the recipient of

this literature will receive updated editions as they become available.

Unless otherwise specified, registered trademarks are property of

CRS Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corporation.

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