17-4 PH Stainless Steel Shafts

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

At a glance

Stocked 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.

Stocked as 17-4 PH CF — cold finished (Condition A). Material and condition are paired — each grade ships in one condition optimized for our process; see all grades on the materials page.