AMS 5862 - 15-5PH (UNS S15500) Sheet, Strip & Plate (Solution Heat Treated)
What is AMS 5862?
AMS 5862 is the SAE International aerospace material specification for 15-5PH (UNS S15500), a martensitic precipitation-hardening chromium-nickel-copper stainless steel, supplied in the forms of sheet, strip, and plate in the solution heat treated condition (Condition A).
15-5PH per AMS 5862 is produced by consumable electrode remelting using Electroslag Remelting (ESR), which eliminates macro-segregation, minimizes delta ferrite content, and controls inclusion size and morphology to produce superior through-thickness toughness compared to 17-4PH (UNS S17400).
The nominal composition is 15Cr-5Ni-3Cu-0.3Cb (Fe balance).
In the solution heat treated Condition A per AMS 5862, 15-5PH is supplied in its maximum-ductility martensitic condition, ready for customer precipitation aging to any of the standard hardness conditions – H900 through H1150 – depending on the required combination of strength, ductility, and toughness for the application.
Customer precipitation aging is a simple one-step process conducted at temperatures from 900°F (482°C) to 1150°F (621°C), producing a copper-containing precipitate phase in the martensitic matrix that elevates tensile strength to approximately 190 ksi (1310 MPa) at Condition H900 and approximately 115 ksi (793 MPa) at Condition H1150.
AMS 5862 sheet, strip, and plate is the standard procuring form for 15-5PH in flat-rolled product for aerospace structural panels, precision-machined plate components, formed and stamped sheet metal parts, and aerospace hardware requiring the superior short-transverse toughness and full precipitation hardening capability of UNS S15500.
AMS 5862 Available Forms and Stocked Sizes
15-5PH (UNS S15500) sheet per AMS 5862 in the solution heat treated Condition A; typically supplied in thicknesses up to 0.1874″ (4.76 mm); available in standard mill widths and cut-to-length or coil form; standard aerospace sheet metal gauges available for forming and stamping operations in Condition A before aging.
15-5PH per AMS 5862 in the solution heat treated Condition A in narrow-width flat-rolled form; available in coil for high-volume stamp, blank, and form operations; typical strip widths less than 24″; verify specific width, thickness, and coil size availability to order.
15-5PH per AMS 5862 in the solution heat treated Condition A; stocked in thicknesses from 0.1875″ (4.76 mm) to 6.50″ (165.1 mm); standard mill dimensions include 36″ × 96″, 48″ × 96″, and 48″ × 120″; custom cut-to-size (saw cutting and water jet) available from plate stock.
Fighter Jet Metals supplies 15-5PH per AMS 5862 sheet, strip, and plate in the solution heat treated Condition A.
All material is supplied with full certified mill test reports (CMTR) documenting ESR consumable electrode melt practice, solution heat treatment records, chemical analysis, and mechanical test certifications traceable to the originating mill heat.
Applications of AMS 5862
Aerospace & Gas Turbine Applications
- Aerospace structural brackets, frames, gussets, and shear webs machined or blanked from AMS 5862 plate in Condition A and then precipitation aged to the required condition (H900–H1150) by the customer
- Aircraft structural skin panels, fuselage frames, floor beams, and deck plates fabricated from AMS 5862 plate in Condition A; formed, drilled, and assembled in the soft condition before final aging to service strength
- Precision-machined aerospace components – valve bodies, manifold plates, actuator housings, and structural fittings – machined from AMS 5862 plate in Condition A before precipitation aging for maximum dimensional stability and machinability
- Aerospace precision sheet metal stampings and formed parts fabricated from AMS 5862 sheet in Condition A – forming is performed in the soft solution heat treated condition before aging to eliminate forming difficulties associated with high-hardness aged material
- Aircraft hydraulic and fluid system components – brackets, retaining plates, support structures – machined from AMS 5862 plate where moderate corrosion resistance and high strength are required
- Defense aircraft structural components and engine support hardware requiring 15-5PH plate in the BMS 7-240 or BMS 7-351 qualified condition for Boeing-designed aircraft programs
- Aerospace fastener blanks cut from AMS 5862 plate in applications where flat-bar or plate-cut fastener stock is specified
Industrial and Energy Applications
- Oil and gas downhole tool components, valve plates, and pump housing sections machined from AMS 5862 plate where high strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and reliability in H₂S environments (NACE MR0175 compliance) are required
- Chemical and petrochemical processing equipment plates and components requiring stainless corrosion resistance combined with precipitation-hardenable strength – AMS 5862 in Condition H1150 provides the best combination of corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance in the 15-5PH family
- Food processing and pharmaceutical equipment plates and components requiring smooth surface finish, moderate corrosion resistance, and high strength – AMS 5862 Condition H1025 or H1075 provides an acceptable balance
- Precision tooling, die blocks, and fixture plates requiring high surface hardness after aging from the Condition A machined state
Chemical Composition - AMS 5862
The following chemical composition limits apply to 15-5PH (UNS S15500) per AMS 5862:
| Element | Symbol | Minimum % | Maximum % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | Fe | - | Balance |
| Chromium | Cr | 14.0 | 15.5 |
| Nickel | Ni | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| Columbium + Tantalum | Cb+Ta | 0.15 | 0.45 |
| Phosphorus | P | - | 0.040 |
| Carbon | C | - | 0.07 |
| Manganese | Mn | - | 1.00 |
| Silicon | Si | - | 1.00 |
| Copper | Cu | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Sulfur | S | - | 0.030 |
Chromium (14.0–15.5%) provides the corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance characteristic of the precipitation-hardening stainless steels.
The 15% nominal chromium level gives 15-5PH moderate corrosion resistance – superior to standard martensitic stainless steels such as 410 (11.5–13.5% Cr) and comparable to 17-4PH – adequate for most aerospace structural applications in processed air, hydraulic fluid, jet fuel, and moderate-humidity service environments.
Nickel (3.5–5.5%) is critical to the alloy system: at the 5% nominal level, nickel suppresses delta ferrite formation during solidification and stabilizes the martensitic transformation to produce a fully martensitic (low-ferrite) microstructure in the as-solution-heat-treated condition per AMS 5862.
This is the primary compositional difference from 17-4PH (which has only 3.5–5.5% Ni but produces higher delta ferrite due to the combination with its slightly different composition) – 15-5PH’s slightly higher and more tightly controlled nickel range, combined with ESR remelting, achieves the delta ferrite reduction that gives AMS 5862 its superior through-thickness toughness.
Copper (2.5–4.5%) is the primary precipitation hardening element: during customer aging, copper precipitates in the martensitic matrix as coherent or semi-coherent copper-rich clusters that are the dominant strengthening mechanism in 15-5PH.
The copper precipitation reaction produces significant increases in tensile and yield strength with relatively modest reductions in elongation and toughness – enabling the wide range of strength-toughness combinations achievable by selecting different aging temperatures (H900 through H1150).
Columbium + Tantalum (Cb+Ta, 0.15–0.45%) are the grain boundary stabilizers that control grain growth during solution heat treatment, maintain a fine austenite grain size during the 1900°F (1038°C) solution anneal, and improve notch toughness and stress corrosion resistance.
Iron (balance) is the matrix element; the high iron content combined with 14–15.5% chromium and 5% nickel gives 15-5PH a density of 0.284 lb/in³ (7.78 g/cm³) – close to standard stainless steel and significantly lower than nickel-base superalloys – a major advantage for weight-sensitive aerospace structural components.
Note that 15-5PH is a martensitic alloy – unlike austenitic stainless steels (304, 316) and austenitic superalloys (A286, Inconel 718), 15-5PH is magnetic in both the solution heat treated (Condition A) and precipitation aged conditions.
Mechanical Properties - AMS 5862
Minimum mechanical properties for 15-5PH per AMS 5862 in the solution heat treated (Condition A):
| Property | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (min) | 150,000 psi (150 ksi) | 1034 MPa |
| Yield Strength, 0.2% offset (min) | 110,000 psi (110 ksi) | 758 MPa |
| Elongation in 2 in. or 4D (min) | 8% | 8% |
| Hardness (max) | 36 HRC max | - |
Elevated Temperature Properties - AMS 5862
The following elevated temperature properties are for 15-5PH (UNS S15500) in the precipitation aged Condition H900 – the highest-strength aging condition achievable from AMS 5862 Condition A material.
These are representative typical values from published literature (Carpenter Technology 15-5PH Technical Data Sheet):
| Temperature | Tensile Strength (typical) | Yield Strength (typical) | Elongation (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Temp (70°F / 21°C) | 190 ksi (1310 MPa) | 170 ksi (1172 MPa) | 10% |
| 400°F (204°C) | 183 ksi (1262 MPa) | 164 ksi (1131 MPa) | 11% |
| 600°F (316°C) | 175 ksi (1207 MPa) | 158 ksi (1089 MPa) | 11% |
| 800°F (427°C) | 158 ksi (1089 MPa) | 140 ksi (965 MPa) | 12% |
| 1000°F (538°C) | 125 ksi (862 MPa) | 110 ksi (758 MPa) | 14% |
Physical Properties - AMS 5862
| Property | Value (Imperial) | Value (Metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 0.284 lb/in³ | 7.78 g/cm³ |
| Solidus Temperature | ~2560°F | ~1404°C |
| Liquidus Temperature | ~2625°F | ~1441°C |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 28.0 × 10⁶ psi | 193 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 6.3 BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | 10.9 W/(m·K) |
| Thermal Conductivity (1200°F) | 7.8 BTU/(hr·ft·°F) | 13.5 W/(m·K) |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 5.9 × 10⁻⁶ /°F | 10.6 × 10⁻⁶ /°C |
| Specific Heat | 0.110 BTU/(lb·°F) | 460 J/(kg·K) |
| Max Service Temperature (Aged, High-Stress) | ~600°F | ~316°C |
| Max Service Temperature (Static / Lower Stress) | ~1000°F | ~538°C |
| Melt Practice | Consumable electrode - ESR (Electroslag Remelting) | - |
| As-Delivered Condition | Solution Heat Treated (Condition A) | - |
| Magnetic Permeability | Magnetic (martensitic structure) | - |
AMS 5862 vs AMS 5659 vs BMS 7-240 - Which Specification Do You Need?
AMS 5862, AMS 5659, and BMS 7-240 are all specifications for 15-5PH (UNS S15500), but they cover different product forms, product scopes, and qualification requirements.
The applicable specification for a given part is governed by the OEM engineering drawing or purchase order:
| Feature | AMS 5862 | AMS 5659 | BMS 7-240 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy | 15-5PH (UNS S15500) | 15-5PH (UNS S15500) | 15-5PH (UNS S15500) |
| Issuing Body | SAE International | SAE International | Boeing |
| Product Forms | Sheet, Strip, Plate | Bars, Forgings, Rings | Plate (Boeing-specific) |
| As-Delivered Condition | Solution Heat Treated (Condition A) | Solution Heat Treated (Condition A) | Solution Heat Treated (Condition A) | Solution Heat Treated (Condition A), per AMS 5862 bas |
| Customer Aging Required | Yes - H900 through H1150 | Per spec | Yes - per AMS 5862 aging requirements |
| Melt Practice | ESR required | Consumable electrode required | Per AMS 5862 (ESR required) |
| Key Characteristic | SAE AMS standard for 15-5PH flat-rolled product - sheet, strip, and plate in Condition A for customer aging; ESR melt required | SAE AMS standard for 15-5PH long-product forms - bars, forgings, and rings for customer aging; the counterpart specification when round bar, forging, or ring form is required | Boeing-specific supplement to AMS 5862 plate - specifies Boeing quality, documentation, and supplier qualification requirements for 15-5PH plate used in Boeing aircraft programs |
| Typical Application | Aerospace structural plate and sheet metal components, brackets, frames, and formed parts requiring flat-rolled 15-5PH with ESR traceability | Aerospace fasteners, shafts, structural components, and precision parts requiring 15-5PH in bar, forging, or ring form | Boeing aircraft structural components requiring 15-5PH plate with full Boeing-approved supplier qualification and documentation per BMS requirements |
Specify AMS 5862 when the OEM drawing calls for 15-5PH (UNS S15500) in sheet, strip, or plate form – AMS 5862 is the only SAE AMS specification for 15-5PH flat-rolled product.
Specify AMS 5659 when the drawing requires 15-5PH in bar, forging, or ring form.
Specify BMS 7-240 (which references AMS 5862 as its base specification) when procuring 15-5PH plate for Boeing-designed aircraft programs that require Boeing-qualified supplier approval and BMS documentation.
Do not substitute one specification for another without written OEM engineering approval.
Approved Mill Producers
Fighter Jet Metals sources 15-5PH per AMS 5862 sheet, strip, and plate from AS9100D-certified mill producers.
All material is supplied with full certified mill test reports (CMTR), heat/lot numbers, chemical analysis reports (spectrographic), mechanical test certifications, and ESR melt practice documentation traceable to the originating mill heat.
AMS 5862 Machining Guidelines
15-5PH per AMS 5862 is supplied in the solution heat treated Condition A, which offers the best machinability of any 15-5PH delivery condition.
The Condition A martensitic microstructure is softer than any aged condition (H900-H1150) and provides better machinability than material that has already been precipitation aged.
For complex milled features, precision bored holes, and threaded features in plate and sheet metal components, procuring to AMS 5862 (Condition A) and machining before precipitation aging is the standard preferred sequence.
Key machining considerations for AMS 5862 15-5PH in the solution heat treated condition:
- Condition A hardness: 15-5PH in Condition A has a typical hardness of approximately Rockwell C 33 maximum – harder than solution-treated austenitic stainless steels (304, 316) in the Rb 80–85 range, but substantially softer than aged 15-5PH (H900 condition: Rc 40–43). Machine all features in Condition A before aging whenever possible
- Work hardening: 15-5PH in Condition A is martensitic and work-hardens more slowly than austenitic grades such as 304, 316, or A286 – this is an advantage in turning and boring operations where austenitic grades cause rapid tool wear from continuous work-hardening at the cut surface. Maintain continuous chip action; dwell and rubbing must be avoided
- Turning and boring: Positive-rake carbide tooling (TiAlN-coated C3/C4 carbide) recommended; rigid setup; recommended cutting speeds of 150–250 SFM with high-pressure flood coolant; light feeds with sharp tooling for finishing cuts
- Milling: Conventional or climb milling with positive-rake carbide end mills; maintain adequate chip load to avoid rubbing; high-pressure coolant to prevent thermal softening of the work-hardened surface layer
- Drilling: Carbide or cobalt-HSS drills; peck drilling for depth-to-diameter ratios > 3:1; high-pressure flood coolant; back off feed rate at drill breakthrough to prevent breakthrough burr and chip packing
- Grinding: 15-5PH Condition A can be surface ground in preparation for aging; use aluminum oxide wheels; adequate coolant to prevent thermal damage to the martensitic microstructure
- Post-machining aging sequence: All machining, threading, and forming should be completed in Condition A → clean and inspect → precipitation age to required condition (H900–H1150) → final dimensional inspection and surface finish verification → ship. Attempting to machine aged 15-5PH (particularly H900 or H925) in plate form is significantly more difficult and should be minimized to light finishing cuts only
Weldability of AMS 5862
15-5PH per AMS 5862 in the solution heat treated Condition A is weldable and represents the recommended delivery condition for 15-5PH welded assemblies.
Because the material has not been precipitation aged, strain-age cracking (SAC) susceptibility in the heat-affected zone is significantly lower than for aged material.
The reduced delta ferrite content produced by ESR remelting (compared to 17-4PH) further improves weld integrity by reducing delta ferrite hot cracking susceptibility in the weld fusion zone:
- TIG (GTAW): Primary welding process for AMS 5862 15-5PH sheet, strip, and plate in the solution heat treated condition; minimum heat input; argon shielding; filler metal ER630 (17-4PH type) or matching 15-5PH filler recommended for aerospace structural weldments
- Electron Beam (EBW): Used in precision aerospace applications requiring minimal heat input and narrow HAZ; performed in vacuum for contamination control; particularly suited for thin-section AMS 5862 sheet assemblies
- Laser Welding: Applicable for thin AMS 5862 sheet assemblies where the concentrated heat input and narrow HAZ of laser welding minimize distortion and HAZ growth
- Preheat: Not generally required for solution heat treated 15-5PH in thin sections; for thicker AMS 5862 plate (> 0.5″ / 12.7 mm), a preheat of 200–300°F (93–149°C) reduces thermal gradient cracking risk in the root and restrained joints
- Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT): For weldments requiring full precipitation hardened service properties, the complete recommended sequence is: weld in Condition A → solution anneal the weldment (1900°F/1038°C, quench) to relieve weld residual stress and rehomogenize the HAZ → precipitation age to required condition (H900-H1150) → final inspection. For lower-strength applications, welding in Condition A and aging directly (without re-solution) may be acceptable – consult OEM engineering requirements
- Delta ferrite advantage over 17-4PH: The reduced delta ferrite content of AMS 5862 15-5PH (achieved by ESR remelting) compared to 17-4PH plate weldments means less solidification cracking tendency in the fusion zone; 15-5PH is the preferred choice over 17-4PH for aerospace plate weldments requiring maximum through-thickness toughness and weld integrity
- Contrast with aged condition: 15-5PH that has been precipitation aged (particularly H900 or H925) is not recommended for structural welding without re-solution treatment – the HAZ undergoes complex thermal cycles that can create brittle microstructure zones; if repair welding of aged hardware is unavoidable, consult OEM engineering for a qualified procedure that includes re-solution treatment
Melt Practice - AMS 5862
To produce 15-5PH per AMS 5862, consumable electrode remelting using the Electroslag Remelting (ESR) process is required.
The standard melt practice begins with a primary melt – typically by Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) or Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) followed by AOD refining – which establishes precise chemistry control, removes sulfur and phosphorus, and sets the final composition of the 15-5PH heat.
The primary-melt electrode is then remelted as a consumable electrode by the ESR process to produce the final ingot. In ESR, the electrode is continuously melted through a molten electrically-conductive slag (flux), which simultaneously refines the metal by removing oxide and sulfide inclusions, shapes the ingot with a controlled solidification pattern, and produces a dense, low-segregation ingot with a highly uniform distribution of chromium, nickel, and copper from center to surface.
The ESR consumable electrode requirement in AMS 5862 is critical for 15-5PH sheet, strip, and plate because:
- Delta ferrite reduction: 17-4PH (UNS S17400) alloy – the higher-delta-ferrite predecessor – contains visible quantities of delta ferrite in its as-solidified microstructure, which reduces short-transverse (through-thickness) toughness and creates preferential corrosion sites. ESR remelting in AMS 5862 15-5PH produces a cleaner solidification microstructure with sharply reduced delta ferrite content – the primary reason for 15-5PH’s development and AMS 5862’s superior through-thickness properties compared to 17-4PH plate
- Inclusion control for toughness: ESR slag refining removes oxide and sulfide inclusions that initiate cracks in the short-transverse (through-thickness) direction in plate product; the controlled inclusion size and morphology produced by ESR remelting is the mechanism behind 15-5PH’s improved Charpy and K₁c fracture toughness in the transverse and short-transverse orientations compared to air-melted or non-consumable-electrode 17-4PH
- Chemistry homogeneity for aging consistency: Uniform copper distribution across the plate cross-section – enabled by ESR’s controlled solidification – ensures consistent copper precipitate formation during customer precipitation aging, producing uniform properties from surface to center of thick plate sections and from piece to piece within a melt heat
Always confirm the ESR melt practice on the certified mill test report (CMTR) before procurement – AMS 5862 requires consumable electrode remelting by ESR and this must be explicitly documented on the material certification.
AMS 5862 Cross-Reference Specifications
Bars, Forgings & Rings
15-5PH long-product specifications covering bars, forgings, and ring forms – the long-product counterparts to AMS 5862 sheet, strip, and plate for applications requiring the same UNS S15500 alloy in non-flat-rolled product form.
Trade Names and Equivalent Designations
15-5PH per AMS 5862 is known by the following trade names and equivalent designations across different standards systems:
| Designation | System | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15-5PH / 15-5 PH | Common name | Widely used commercial designation; the hyphen and space are optional |
| ATI 15-5 | Trade name | ATI (Allegheny Technologies Inc.) trade designation for UNS S15500 |
| ASTM A693 Grade XM-12 | ASTM specification | Precipitation hardening stainless steel sheet, strip, and plate |
| ASTM A564 Grade XM-12 | ASTM | Precipitation hardening stainless steel bars and shapes |
| AMS 5659 | SAE AMS | 15-5PH bars, forgings, and rings — sibling long-product specification |
| UNS S15500 | UNS (Unified Numbering System) | Standard material identifier in North America |
| DIN 1.4545 / W.Nr. 1.4545 | Werkstoff Nr. (German) | European material number designation |
| AMS 5862 | SAE AMS | Solution heat treated sheet, strip, and plate |
Why Source AMS 5862 from Fighter Jet Metals?
Full mill certifications on every order
Heat number, lot number, chemical analysis (spectrographic), mechanical test reports, and ESR melt practice documentation included with every shipment
Complete heat-lot traceability
Full chain-of-custody documentation from ESR melt through solution heat treatment to your facility
AS9100D-certified aerospace sourcing
Material sourced from AS9100D-certified mills only
Plate thickness 0.1875″ to 6.50″ stocked
Full plate size range available; cut-to-size available from plate stock
In-house processing
Bar saw cutting to length, trepanning (hollow bar), lathe work (turning), and shearing available for AMS 5737 bar stock; custom-cut sizes to your dimensions
Boeing BMS 7-240 and BMS 7-351 support
Stock and supply to Boeing Material Specification requirements in addition to base AMS 5862 specification
Same-day quote response
Competitive pricing with rapid quote turnaround
ESR melt traceability confirmed
Consumable electrode ESR remelting confirmed and documented on every CMTR; AMS 5862's ESR requirement fully traceable from melt through solution heat treatment to your door
Certified Material for Critical Service
Materials supplied in 6Al-4V titanium must meet strict aerospace certification and traceability requirements. Fighter Jet Metals supports sourcing across a wide range of AMS, MIL, and OEM specifications, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
All material is supplied with full mill certifications, complete heat-lot traceability, and detailed documentation. This ensures reliability and suitability for safety-critical aerospace, defense, and high-performance engineering applications.