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Stainless Steel SUS15-5 PH

High-strength, corrosion-resistant stainless steel optimized for 3D printed aerospace and tooling components requiring heat treatment and precision.

SUS15-5 PH 3D Printing Materials Introduction

Stainless Steel SUS15-5 PH is a martensitic precipitation-hardened stainless steel offering high strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It performs exceptionally well under heat-treated conditions, maintaining dimensional stability and hardness for critical load-bearing parts.

Using stainless steel 3D printing, SUS15-5 PH is ideal for aerospace components, precision tooling, and structural machinery where strength, fatigue resistance, and corrosion durability are essential.

SUS15-5 PH Similar Grades Table

Country/Region	Standard	Grade or Designation
USA	ASTM	15-5 PH
UNS	Unified	S15500
ISO	International	X5CrNiCuNb16-5
China	GB/T	0Cr15Ni5Cu4Mo
Germany	DIN/W.Nr.	1.4545

SUS15-5 PH Comprehensive Properties Table

Category	Property	Value
Physical Properties	Density	7.78 g/cm³
	Melting Point	1400–1450°C
	Thermal Conductivity (100°C)	18.0 W/(m·K)
	Electrical Resistivity	85 µΩ·cm
Chemical Composition (%)	Iron (Fe)	Balance
	Chromium (Cr)	14.0–15.5
	Nickel (Ni)	3.5–5.5
	Copper (Cu)	2.5–4.5
	Niobium (Nb) + Tantalum (Ta)	0.15–0.45
Mechanical Properties	Tensile Strength (H900)	≥1310 MPa
	Yield Strength (0.2%) (H900)	≥1170 MPa
	Elongation at Break (H900)	≥10%
	Hardness (HRC)	38–45
	Modulus of Elasticity	200 GPa

3D Printing Technology of SUS15-5 PH

SUS15-5 PH is typically processed through Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), and Binder Jetting, enabling the production of complex, heat-treatable parts with excellent dimensional accuracy and structural performance.

Applicable Process Table

Technology	Precision	Surface Quality	Mechanical Properties	Application Suitability
SLM	±0.05–0.2 mm	Excellent	Excellent (post-aged)	Aerospace, High-Load Tooling
DMLS	±0.05–0.2 mm	Very Good	Excellent	Structural Parts, Robotics
Binder Jetting	±0.1–0.3 mm	Moderate	Good (with HIP)	Fixtures, Housings, Brackets

SUS15-5 PH 3D Printing Process Selection Principles

SLM is best suited for parts requiring exceptional strength and precision, especially after aging heat treatment (H900), delivering tensile strength above 1300 MPa.

DMLS is ideal for fatigue-resistant components, such as mechanical joints or structural assemblies, with fine lattice or infill geometries.

Binder Jetting enables low-cost fabrication of larger parts, with HIP and sintering improving final density and isotropic strength.

SUS15-5 PH 3D Printing Key Challenges and Solutions

Internal stress buildup during printing can lead to distortion. Aging heat treatment at 480–620°C (H900–H1150) refines the martensitic structure and stabilizes geometry.

Porosity may arise due to insufficient fusion. Optimal scan speed (800–1000 mm/s), laser power (300–400 W), and layer height (~30 µm) ensure density >99.8%.

Surface finish limitations (Ra 6–15 µm) can be resolved with CNC machining and electropolishing for improved sealing and wear interfaces.

For high-fatigue applications, HIP is applied to eliminate internal voids and maximize part lifecycle.

Typical Post-Processing for SUS15-5 PH 3D Printed Parts

Aging Heat Treatment hardens the martensitic structure, increasing tensile strength and fatigue resistance in load-bearing applications.

CNC Machining improves dimensional accuracy and tolerance control for interfaces, threads, and sealing surfaces.

Electropolishing enhances corrosion resistance and reduces surface roughness for hydraulic, aerospace, and fluid-contact components.

Passivation removes free iron on the surface, forming a protective chromium oxide layer to improve long-term corrosion resistance.

Industry Application Scenarios and Cases

SUS15-5 PH is ideal for:

Aerospace: Brackets, struts, and mounts subjected to cyclic loads and vibration.
Precision Tooling: Molds, dies, and inserts with high hardness and dimensional stability.
Industrial Robotics: Load-bearing shafts, grippers, and motion assemblies.
Defense & Energy: Components exposed to pressure, fatigue, and moderate corrosion.

A recent tooling case study showed 3D printed SUS15-5 PH die inserts with optimized cooling channels, post-H900 treatment, and CNC finishing—cutting cycle time by 20% and extending tool life by 50%.