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3D printing in Stainless steel 17-4 PH (H900)
Stainless steel 17-4 PH (H900) is a proven choice for 3d printing: tensile strength from about 145 ksi (h1150) to 200 ksi (h900) by choice of aging temperature. On a representative housing at 25 pieces it estimates at about $286 per part, with a lead time of 8–14 days. Typical tolerance is SLS/MJF ±0.3% (±0.012 in / ±0.3 mm minimum); SLA about ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm) over the first inch; FDM about ±0.010 in (±0.25 mm).
- Per part
- $286
- Tooling
- None
- Lead time
- 8–14 days
Price it in 17-4 PH
Housing · 3D printing
Order total $7,264
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $286
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 8–14 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length140140 mm
Width90.090.0 mm
Wall2.202.20 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity2525 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
17-4 PH vs other 3d printing materials
The same housing at 25 pieces, priced in every material the process runs. ABS is the lowest all-in cost.
| Material | Per part | All-in | Weight | Tensile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | $37.50 | $37.50 | 76 g | 43 MPa |
| Polycarbonate (PC) | $37.50 | $37.50 | 87 g | 65 MPa |
| PC/ABS blend | $37.50 | $37.50 | 83 g | 55 MPa |
| Polypropylene (PP) | $37.50 | $37.50 | 66 g | 33 MPa |
| PEEK (polyether ether ketone) | $37.50 | $37.50 | 94 g | 98 MPa |
| TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) | $37.50 | $37.50 | 72 g | 7 MPa |
| Nylon 12 (PA12) for 3D printing | $37.50 | $37.50 | 73 g | 48 MPa |
| Stainless steel 316 | $274 | $279 | 580 g | 580 MPa |
| Stainless steel 17-4 PH (H900) | $286 | $291 | 564 g | 1379 MPa |
| Titanium Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | $328 | $333 | 321 g | 950 MPa |
17-4 PH at a glance
- Tensile strength
- 1379 MPa96th pct
- Yield strength
- 1275 MPa100th pct
- Density
- 7.78 g/cm³70th pct
- Max service temp
- 315 °C86th pct
- Elongation
- 14 %32th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
Strengths
- Tensile strength from about 145 ksi (H1150) to 200 ksi (H900) by choice of aging temperature
- Aging at 900–1,150 °F (482–621 °C) causes little distortion, so parts are machined near final first
- Corrosion resistance comparable to 304
- Available as bar, plate, forgings, MIM feedstock and AM powder
Watch for
- H900 has low impact toughness; use H1025–H1150 for impact or stress corrosion concerns
- Condition A is about 35 HRC, so machining is slow and hard on tools
- Magnetic, unlike 300-series grades
- Loses toughness with long exposure above about 600 °F (315 °C)
Finishes for this combination
3D printing design rules
About 0.030 in (0.8 mm) for SLS/MJF; 0.020 in (0.5 mm) for SLA
Minimum wall thickness
At least two holes, about 0.2 in (5 mm) for powder or 0.14 in (3.5 mm) for resin
Add escape holes to hollow parts
About 0.020 in (0.5 mm) for printed-in-place SLS/MJF assemblies
Leave clearance between mating parts
At least 45° from horizontal for FDM, SLA, and metal
Design self-supporting overhangs
Holes and pins at least 0.060 in (1.5 mm) diameter
Size holes and pins
Load FDM parts in the X–Y plane where possible
Orient for load
Questions
How much does 3d printing in 17-4 PH cost?
For a representative part (open housing 140 mm × 90 mm × 36 mm, 2.2 mm wall, 1° draft, 4 bosses, 2 ribs), SSG's estimator gives about $286 per part at 25 pieces. All-in with tooling and setup that is $291 per part. It is budgetary; principals quote firm prices from your drawing.
Is 17-4 PH a good material for 3d printing?
It is when you need tensile strength from about 145 ksi (h1150) to 200 ksi (h900) by choice of aging temperature and aging at 900–1,150 °f (482–621 °c) causes little distortion, so parts are machined near final first. Watch for h900 has low impact toughness; use h1025–h1150 for impact or stress corrosion concerns. Of 10 materials run in 3d printing, it ranks 9 on all-in cost for the same part.
What finishes work on 17-4 PH 3d printing parts?
Common options are bead blasted, vibratory deburr (tumbling), passivation, laser marking, heat treating. The builder adds each finish's lot charge, per-part cost and days to the estimate.
What tolerance can 3d printing hold in 17-4 PH?
Typical capability is SLS/MJF ±0.3% (±0.012 in / ±0.3 mm minimum); SLA about ±0.005 in (±0.13 mm) over the first inch; FDM about ±0.010 in (±0.25 mm). Tighter tolerances are possible on called-out features at added cost; specify them on the drawing rather than as a blanket note.
Quote 3d printing in 17-4 PH.
Upload your CAD or start from a template. The DFM check applies the rules above to your geometry.