17-4 PH Stainless Steel Shafts

Precipitation-hardening stainless, high strength plus corrosion resistance, common in pump, valve, and aerospace shafts.

At a glance

Supplied condition	Cold finished (Condition A; age to H900–H1150 after machining)
Machinability	Fair, tougher than 303/416, better than fully hardened alloys
Weldability	Weldable
Corrosion resistance	Very good, comparable to 304
Hardening	Precipitation-hardens with a low-distortion aging cycle
Density (nominal)	0.282 lb/in³
Food contact	Not typical
Magnetic	Yes (martensitic PH)

17-4 PH is the industry's default high-strength stainless. In one material you get corrosion resistance near 304 and, after a simple aging cycle, strength that rivals hardened alloy steel, which is why pump shafts, valve stems, and aerospace fittings specify it so often.

The workflow matters: we machine it in Condition A, then a low-temperature age (H900 through H1150, per your callout) sets the final strength with minimal distortion. No quench, no straightening drama.

Configure a 17-4 PH part →

Any geometry in the configurator, diameters, threads, keyseats, grooves, holes, tapers, can be machined in 17-4 PH. Pick the material in the sidebar and the price updates live.

When to choose 17-4 PH

A pump, valve, or aerospace print calls for it. It usually does.
You need hardened-steel strength in a corrosive environment.
Post-machining hardening must not distort the part.

Consider instead

15-5 PH, better transverse toughness, otherwise a sibling.
316, when chloride resistance outranks strength.
416, a cheaper hardenable stainless for milder duty.

Typical applications

Process and ANSI pump shafts
Valve stems and gates
Aerospace actuation components
Marine and offshore shafting (aged)

Ready-made starting points in this material's wheelhouse: ANSI pump shafts.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are aging conditions: the temperature (in °F) of the precipitation-hardening cycle. H900 gives the highest strength; H1150 trades some strength for toughness and ductility. We machine in Condition A and the part is aged to the specified condition afterward.

Close, for most atmospheres, fresh water, and mild process fluids it performs comparably. For chlorides and marine immersion, 316 still rules.

It is the rare material that offers both hardened-steel strength and stainless corrosion resistance, and its aging cycle is low-distortion so precision journals survive heat treatment. That combination fits pump duty exactly.

Supplied as 17-4 PH CF, cold finished (Condition A), machined from bar sourced per order. Material and condition are paired. Each grade ships in one condition optimized for our process; see all grades on the materials page.