---
title: "1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) Forgings: Rings, Shafts, Flanges, Discs and Bars"
description: "1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4 / 17-4PH) forgings: composition, H900-H1150 properties, equivalents, sizes. Forged rings, shafts, flanges, bars. EN 10204 3.1/3.2."
canonical: "https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/1.4542.html"
grade: "1.4542 / X5CrNiCuNb16-4"
equivalents: "X5CrNiCuNb16-4, 17-4PH, UNS S17400, AISI 630, ASTM A564 Type 630, AMS 5643, SUS 630, 05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb, Z6CNU17-04"
manufacturer: "Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd."
address: "No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China"
telephone: "+86-189-2135-9659"
email: "sales@steelforgepieces.com"
language: "en"
last_reviewed: "2026-09-23"
---

# 1.4542 (X5CrNiCuNb16-4) Forgings: Rings, Shafts, Flanges, Discs and Bars

Datasheet last reviewed 23 September 2026 by **Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.**, an open die forging factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China.

## Summary

**1.4542 is the EN material number for X5CrNiCuNb16-4**, a chromium nickel copper precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel stabilised with niobium. It is the European equivalent of **17-4PH** (UNS S17400, AISI 630, ASTM A564 Type 630). Composition is 15.0 to 17.0 % Cr, 3.0 to 5.0 % Ni, 3.0 to 5.0 % Cu and 0.07 % C maximum. One low temperature ageing cycle after solution annealing takes tensile strength from about 930 MPa to over 1310 MPa. Dimensional change during ageing is small, so the grade suits large machined forgings.

**Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.** forges 1.4542 into seamless rolled rings, shafts, flanges, discs, sleeves, bushings, tube sheets, hollow bars and round bars. Material is supplied solution annealed or aged to H900, H925, H1025, H1075, H1100 or H1150, ultrasonically tested to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388, and certified to EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2. Send a drawing to sales@steelforgepieces.com or call +86-189-2135-9659 for a quotation.

## Key facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| EN number | 1.4542 |
| EN steel name | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 |
| UNS / AISI | S17400 / 630 |
| Common name | 17-4PH |
| Type | Precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel |
| Density | 7.75 g/cm3 |
| Solution treatment | 1040 +/- 15 degrees C |
| Strength range | 930 to 1310 MPa minimum (H1150 to H900) |
| Magnetic | Yes, ferromagnetic |
| Max service temperature | About 300 degrees C continuous |

## 1.4542 equivalent grades and designations

The same alloy carries different names depending on the standard a drawing references. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal accepts any of the designations below on a purchase order for forged material.

| Standard or region | Designation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EN 10088-3 (Europe) | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 / 1.4542 | Bars, rods, sections, semi-finished products |
| EN 10250-4 (Europe) | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 / 1.4542 | Open die forgings for general engineering |
| EN 10222-5 (Europe) | X5CrNiCuNb16-4 / 1.4542 | Forgings for pressure purposes |
| ASTM / ASME (USA) | ASTM A564 Type 630, ASTM A705 Type 630, SA-564 / SA-705, UNS S17400 | A705 covers forgings, A564 covers bars and shapes |
| AISI and trade name | AISI 630, 17-4PH, Alloy 17-4 | Most common commercial names |
| SAE aerospace | AMS 5643, AMS 5622, AMS 5604 | AMS 5643 is the usual bar and forging specification |
| JIS G4303 (Japan) | SUS 630 | Direct equivalent |
| GB/T 1220 (China) | 05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb, formerly 0Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb | Direct equivalent |
| AFNOR (France) | Z6CNU17-04 | Superseded by the EN designation |
| DIN (Germany, withdrawn) | X5CrNiCuNb16-4, Werkstoff 1.4542 | Also listed historically as 1.4548 with tighter sulphur |

Cross references are given for guidance. Where a contractual equivalence is needed, state the governing standard on the order and Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal will certify to that standard.

## Chemical composition of 1.4542

EN 10088-3 and ASTM A564 do not set identical limits. The first two columns give the specification windows. The third column is the aim chemistry Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal melts so that one heat can be certified to both standards.

Composition, % by mass:

| Element | EN 10088-3, 1.4542 | ASTM A564, Type 630 (UNS S17400) | Dual certifiable aim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon, C | max 0.07 | max 0.07 | 0.03 to 0.05 |
| Silicon, Si | max 0.70 | max 1.00 | max 0.60 |
| Manganese, Mn | max 1.50 | max 1.00 | max 0.80 |
| Phosphorus, P | max 0.040 | max 0.040 | max 0.025 |
| Sulphur, S | max 0.030 | max 0.030 | max 0.010 |
| Chromium, Cr | 15.0 to 17.0 | 15.00 to 17.50 | 15.5 to 16.7 |
| Nickel, Ni | 3.0 to 5.0 | 3.00 to 5.00 | 3.8 to 4.5 |
| Copper, Cu | 3.0 to 5.0 | 3.00 to 5.00 | 3.2 to 3.8 |
| Niobium, Nb plus Ta | 5 x C to 0.45 | Nb + Ta 0.15 to 0.45 | 0.20 to 0.40 |
| Molybdenum, Mo | max 0.60 | not specified | max 0.50 |
| Iron, Fe | Balance, about 73 % | Balance | Balance |

Niobium ties up carbon and lets the copper rich precipitates form during ageing. EN 10088-2 sets a tighter sulphur limit of 0.015 % maximum for flat products. Forging stock to EN 10088-3 and EN 10250-4 uses the 0.030 % limit shown above.

## Mechanical properties of 1.4542 by heat treatment condition

1.4542 is supplied either solution annealed (Condition A, +AT) or precipitation hardened. The ageing temperature sets the property profile. As the ageing temperature rises, strength and hardness fall while ductility, impact toughness and stress corrosion resistance rise. Two designation systems are in use. The EN "+P" system names the minimum proof strength in MPa. The ASTM "H" system names the ageing temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.

### EN 10088-3 requirements, thickness or diameter up to 100 mm

| Condition | Rp0.2 min, MPa | Rm, MPa | A min, % (long.) | KV min, J (long.) | Hardness, HB max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +AT, solution annealed | not specified | max 1200 | not specified | not specified | 360 |
| +P800 | 520 | 800 to 950 | 18 | 75 | not specified |
| +P930 | 720 | 930 to 1100 | 16 | 40 | not specified |
| +P960 | 790 | 960 to 1160 | 12 | not specified | not specified |
| +P1070 | 1000 | 1070 to 1270 | 10 | not specified | not specified |

### ASTM A564 and A705 Type 630 requirements, sections up to 75 mm

| Condition | Ageing temperature | Hold, h | Rm min, MPa | Rp0.2 min, MPa | A min, % | RA min, % | Hardness min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condition A | solution 1040 degrees C | not aged | not specified | not specified | not specified | not specified | 363 HB max |
| H900 | 480 degrees C | 1 | 1310 | 1170 | 10 | 40 | 40 HRC / 388 HB |
| H925 | 495 degrees C | 4 | 1170 | 1070 | 10 | 44 | 38 HRC / 375 HB |
| H1025 | 550 degrees C | 4 | 1070 | 1000 | 12 | 45 | 35 HRC / 331 HB |
| H1075 | 580 degrees C | 4 | 1000 | 860 | 13 | 45 | 32 HRC / 311 HB |
| H1100 | 595 degrees C | 4 | 965 | 795 | 14 | 45 | 31 HRC / 302 HB |
| H1150 | 620 degrees C | 4 | 930 | 725 | 16 | 50 | 28 HRC / 277 HB |
| H1150M and H1150D | 760 then 620 degrees C | 2 then 4 | 795 | 515 | 18 | 55 | 33 HRC max, sour service |

Values are specification minima unless marked as a maximum, and apply to the section sizes listed. Heavier forgings are qualified on a separate test prolongation. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal tests from a prolongation representative of the heaviest section, after final heat treatment.

Minimum tensile strength falls from 1310 MPa (H900) to 930 MPa (H1150) as the ageing temperature rises from 480 degrees C to 620 degrees C. Minimum elongation rises from 10 % to 16 % over the same range.

## Physical properties of 1.4542

| Property | Value (metric) | Value (imperial) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.75 g/cm3 | 0.280 lb/in3 |
| Modulus of elasticity at 20 degrees C | 196 GPa | 28.5 x 10^6 psi |
| Mean coefficient of thermal expansion, 20 to 100 degrees C | 10.8 x 10^-6 /K | 6.0 x 10^-6 /degrees F |
| Thermal conductivity at 100 degrees C | about 16.3 W/m.K | 113 BTU.in/h.ft2.degrees F |
| Specific heat capacity at 20 degrees C | 460 J/kg.K | 0.11 BTU/lb.degrees F |
| Electrical resistivity at 20 degrees C | 0.80 microohm.m | 80 microohm.cm |
| Melting range | 1400 to 1440 degrees C | 2550 to 2625 degrees F |
| Magnetic response | Ferromagnetic in all delivery conditions | |
| Recommended maximum service temperature | About 300 degrees C continuous | |

Above the ageing temperature the material over-ages and properties fall.

## Forging and heat treatment practice for 1.4542

### Forging

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal forges 1.4542 from a start temperature of 1150 to 1180 degrees C and finishes above 950 degrees C. Below that range the grade loses hot ductility and can crack. Parts are air cooled after forging and then solution annealed. As-forged material is not supplied.

### Solution annealing, Condition A or +AT

Heat to 1040 +/- 15 degrees C, hold 30 minutes per 25 mm of section, then cool in air or oil to below 32 degrees C so the martensite transformation completes. Hardness after this step is about 30 to 33 HRC. Most rough machining is done in this condition.

### Precipitation hardening

One ageing cycle at 480 to 620 degrees C precipitates copper rich particles in the martensitic matrix. Dimensional change is small, about 0.05 % contraction for H900 and about 0.10 % for H1150, so finish machined parts can be aged without significant distortion.

### Choosing a condition

- **H900.** Highest strength and hardness. Used for valve stems, wear rings and fasteners. Lowest resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking, and the hardest condition to machine.
- **H1025 and H1075.** The usual choice for pump and compressor shafts, where strength and toughness both matter.
- **H1150.** Best ductility and impact toughness. The normal condition for thick section forgings and pressure containing parts.
- **H1150M and H1150D, double age.** Specified for sour service to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, with hardness capped at 33 HRC. State this on the order, because it changes the heat treatment routing.

## Machining, welding and corrosion resistance

**Machining.** In Condition A the grade machines much like 302, 304 and 410. In H900 it is far harder and should be cut at about 60 % of the Condition A rate, with rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling and plenty of coolant. For parts with fine detail, rough machine in Condition A, age, then finish machine.

**Welding.** All conventional processes work without preheat. Use a matching 17-4PH filler where the weld has to be strengthened by the ageing cycle, or an austenitic filler such as 308L or 309L where a softer weld is acceptable. Re-solution-anneal and re-age after welding to restore properties across the joint.

**Corrosion resistance.** General corrosion resistance is close to 1.4301 (304) and better than martensitic 1.4021 (420). It does not replace 316, duplex or nickel alloys in warm chloride, seawater or sour service. Resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking improves as the ageing temperature rises, which is why subsea and wellhead parts are normally H1150 or double aged. Condition A material is not put into service.

## 1.4542 forged products supplied by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal

Parts are made to the customer drawing on open die presses and ring rolling mills. Standard delivery is rough machined with an agreed machining allowance. Finish machining is available on request.

| Product form | Typical size range | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Seamless rolled rings and forged rings | OD 200 to 3000 mm, height up to 800 mm, wall from 40 mm | Bearing housings, wear rings, retaining rings, flange rings |
| Forged shafts, spindles, stepped shafts | Dia 80 to 1000 mm, length up to 8000 mm | Pump shafts, compressor rotors, eccentric shafts, mixer shafts |
| Forged flanges | Dia 100 to 3000 mm, to EN 1092-1, ASME B16.5 / B16.47 or drawing | Pressure vessels, columns, heat exchangers, piping |
| Forged discs and blanks | Dia 150 to 2500 mm, thickness 30 to 600 mm | Gear blanks, valve discs, turbine wheels, closures |
| Sleeves and bushings | OD 100 to 1500 mm, length up to 3000 mm | Shaft sleeves, wear bushings, liners |
| Hollow bars and forged tubes | OD 150 to 1200 mm, wall from 30 mm | Cylinder bodies, valve bodies, subsea housings |
| Tube sheets | Dia up to 3000 mm, thickness up to 500 mm | Shell and tube heat exchangers, air receivers |
| Round bars and blocks | Dia 80 to 800 mm, blocks to drawing | General machining stock, valve stems, fasteners |
| Single piece weight | 5 kg to 30 000 kg | |

### Manufacturing route and quality control

- **Melting.** EAF plus VOD as standard. ESR remelting is available where a cleaner, more homogeneous structure is required.
- **Forging.** Open die hydraulic presses and radial ring rolling mills.
- **Heat treatment.** In-house solution annealing and ageing furnaces with recorded temperature charts supplied against the certificate.
- **Mechanical testing.** Tensile, hardness and Charpy V-notch impact testing from prolongations taken after final heat treatment.
- **NDT.** Ultrasonic testing to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388. Liquid penetrant to ASTM E165 or EN 10228-2. Magnetic particle where applicable. Positive material identification on request.
- **Certification.** EN 10204 3.1 as standard. EN 10204 3.2 witnessed by a third party inspection body on request.

## Where 1.4542 forgings are used

High strength, moderate corrosion resistance and low distortion during hardening put 1.4542 into service in these industries.

- **Pumps and compressors.** Chemical and plunger pump shafts, impellers, wear rings, sleeves, industrial air compressor and nitrogen generator parts.
- **Valves.** Stems, seats, seat rings, gates, balls, bodies and blocks for ball, gate, globe, check and plug valves.
- **Oil and gas, offshore and subsea.** Wellhead and Christmas tree parts, subsea housings, deepwater production equipment, normally in the double aged condition.
- **Pressure equipment and heat transfer.** Flanges, tube sheets, nozzles and forged tubes for pressure vessels, air receivers and shell and tube heat exchangers.
- **Process plant.** Columns and towers, tanks, silos, preheaters, crystalliser equipment, process modules.
- **Power transmission.** Gears, gearbox shafts, turbine and gas compressor parts.
- **Heavy machinery and mills.** Crankshafts, rolls, manifolds and nozzles for cement, sugar and concrete mills, pulp and paper plant, shipbuilding.
- **Food and pharmaceutical machinery.** Parts that need cleanability together with strength.

## 1.4542 compared with other PH and martensitic stainless grades

| Grade | EN number | Compared with 1.4542 |
|---|---|---|
| 17-4PH | 1.4542 | The same alloy under its American trade name |
| 15-5PH | 1.4545 | Lower ferrite content and better transverse toughness in heavy sections, similar strength |
| PH13-8Mo | 1.4534 | Higher strength and toughness, better SCC resistance, higher cost, vacuum melted |
| 17-7PH | 1.4568 | Semi-austenitic PH grade, mainly for strip and springs rather than heavy forgings |
| 420 / X20Cr13 | 1.4021 | Cheaper martensitic grade, lower corrosion resistance, needs quench and temper |
| 316L | 1.4404 | Much better corrosion resistance, about one third of the strength, non-magnetic |
| Duplex 2205 | 1.4462 | Better chloride and SCC resistance, lower strength ceiling than aged 1.4542 |

## Frequently asked questions about 1.4542

### What is 1.4542 steel?

1.4542 is the EN material number for X5CrNiCuNb16-4, a chromium nickel copper precipitation hardening martensitic stainless steel stabilised with niobium. It contains 15.0 to 17.0 % chromium, 3.0 to 5.0 % nickel, 3.0 to 5.0 % copper and 0.07 % carbon maximum. It is hardened by one low temperature ageing treatment after solution annealing. Dimensional change during ageing is small, so it suits large forgings that have to hold close tolerances.

### Is 1.4542 the same as 17-4PH?

For most engineering purposes, yes. 1.4542 is the European equivalent of 17-4PH, also designated UNS S17400, AISI 630 and ASTM A564 Type 630. The limits differ slightly. EN 10088-3 allows 15.0 to 17.0 % chromium and 1.50 % manganese maximum. ASTM A564 allows 15.00 to 17.50 % chromium, 1.00 % manganese maximum and niobium plus tantalum of 0.15 to 0.45 %. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal aims the heat chemistry at the overlapping window so one heat can be certified to both standards.

### What tensile strength does 1.4542 reach in the H900 condition?

In H900, aged about one hour at 480 degrees C, the grade reaches a minimum tensile strength of 1310 MPa, a minimum 0.2 % proof strength of 1170 MPa, minimum elongation of 10 % and minimum hardness of 40 HRC to ASTM A564. The nearest EN 10088-3 designation is +P1070, with proof strength of 1000 MPa minimum and tensile strength of 1070 to 1270 MPa.

### Which heat treatment condition should I specify?

Specify H900 for maximum strength and hardness. Specify H1025 or H1075 where strength and toughness both matter. Specify H1150 where ductility, impact toughness and resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking matter more than strength. Sour service and subsea parts are normally specified as H1150 double age, H1150M or H1150D, with hardness capped at 33 HRC to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156.

### What forms of 1.4542 forgings can be supplied?

Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal supplies 1.4542 as open die forged rings and seamless rolled rings, shafts, spindles, flanges, discs and blanks, sleeves and bushings, hollow bars and forged tubes, tube sheets, valve bodies and stems, and round bars and blocks. All are made to the customer drawing, rough machined or finish machined.

### Is 1.4542 magnetic?

Yes. The matrix is martensitic in both the solution annealed and aged conditions, so the grade is ferromagnetic, unlike austenitic stainless steels such as 1.4301 (304) or 1.4401 (316).

### How does the corrosion resistance compare with 304 stainless steel?

General corrosion resistance is close to 304 and better than the 400 series martensitic grades. It does not replace 316 or duplex in warm chloride or sour service. Resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking improves as the ageing temperature rises, so H1150 performs better than H900.

### What testing and certification come with the forgings?

Standard scope covers chemical analysis, tensile and hardness testing after final heat treatment, Charpy V-notch impact testing on request, ultrasonic testing to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388, dimensional inspection and an EN 10204 3.1 certificate. EN 10204 3.2 certificates witnessed by a third party inspection body can be arranged.

### What do you need to quote a 1.4542 forging?

The drawing or finished dimensions plus machining allowance, the quantity, the required condition such as H1025 or H1150, the governing standard such as EN 10088-3, EN 10250-4, ASTM A564 or A705, the required testing and NDT acceptance class, and the certificate type.

### Where is 1.4542 typically used?

Pump and compressor shafts, impellers and wear rings. Valve stems, seats, bodies and gates. Oil and gas wellhead and subsea equipment. Heat exchanger tube sheets and flanges. Gears and turbine parts. Paper mill and food processing machinery. Marine fittings that need high strength with moderate corrosion resistance.

## Request a quotation for 1.4542 forgings

Send a drawing or the finished dimensions, quantity, heat treatment condition and governing standard. We reply with price, weight, machining allowance and delivery time.

**Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.**, Open Die Forging Factory
No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China
Telephone: +86-189-2135-9659
Email: sales@steelforgepieces.com

## About the manufacturer

**Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.** is an open die forging factory at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. Jiangyin sits on the Yangtze River in southern Jiangsu, about 150 km from the Port of Shanghai. The company produces open die forgings and seamless rolled rings in carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys for the pressure vessel, valve, pump, oil and gas, power and heavy machinery industries, and exports with EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2 certification.

## Standards referenced on this page

- EN 10088-3. Stainless steels. Technical delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire, sections and bright products. Source of the composition limits and the +AT and +P condition properties.
- EN 10250-4. Open die steel forgings for general engineering purposes. Part 4: Stainless steels.
- EN 10222-5. Steel forgings for pressure purposes. Part 5: Martensitic, austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steels.
- ASTM A564/A564M. Hot-rolled and cold-finished age-hardening stainless steel bars and shapes. Source of the H condition properties.
- ASTM A705/A705M. Age-hardening stainless steel forgings.
- AMS 5643. 17-4PH bars, forgings, rings and extrusions.
- JIS G4303 (SUS 630) and GB/T 1220 (05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb). National equivalents.
- EN 10228-2, EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 and ASTM A388. Non-destructive testing of steel forgings.
- EN 10204. Types of inspection documents for metallic products.
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156. Materials for use in H2S containing environments in oil and gas production.

Figures on this page are taken from the current published editions of the standards listed above and are given for guidance. The governing document is the standard named on the purchase order.

## Related pages

- [17-4PH forgings](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/17-4ph.html)
- [PH13-8Mo forgings](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/PH13-8Mo.html)
- [17-7PH forgings](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/17-7ph.html)
- [All stainless steel forging grades](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Stainless-Steel/)
- [Forged rings and seamless rolled rings](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Forged-Rings/)
- [Forged shafts](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Forging-Shafts/)
- [Nickel alloy forgings](https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Nickel-Alloy/)