15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 vs 303: 41% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 vs 303
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5
1.4545
Martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel. Similar to 17-4PH but with better transverse ductility and toughness due to lower delta ferrite. Used for aerospace structural components, nuclear reactor parts, food processing equipment, and high-performance fasteners.
303
1.4305
Free-machining austenitic stainless steel — the most machinable of all austenitic grades. 0.15-0.35% S (as MnS inclusions) provides excellent chip-breaking. Trade-off: lower corrosion resistance than 304, poor weldability (hot cracking risk), and not suitable for cold forming. Used for high-volume automatic lathe parts: fittings, valves, screws, shafts, and precision components.
| 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 | 303 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.4545 | 1.4305 |
| Category | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Standard | AMS 5659 | EN 10088-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 | 303 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0–0.07% | 0–0.1% | OK |
| Si | 0–1% | 0–1% | OK |
| Mn | 0–1% | 0–2% | OK |
| P | 0–0.03% | 0–0.045% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 | 303 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | ≥ 1310 | 500–750 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 1170 | ≥ 190 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 10 | ≥ 35 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 and 303 have significantly different compositions (41% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 the same as 303?
15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 and 303 have a 41% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 with 303?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (41% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 and 303?
The main differences are in the following elements: S, Cr, Ni. 15-5PH / X5CrNiCuNb15-5 is a Stainless Steel grade, while 303 is a Stainless Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.