17-4 Precipitation-Hardening Stainless Steel: Soft-Tough Heat Treatment Mechanism and Thermal Fatigue Characteristics.

This study selected 17-4PH (Type 630) precipitation-hardening stainless steel as the raw material. After subjecting the material to precipitation hardening and softening heat treatments, the effects of these treatments on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties were investigated, along with a thermal fatigue test. The results showed that after the precipitation hardening heat treatment, the ultimate tensile strength and hardness of 17-4PH stainless steel increased.