17-4 Sheet 2B

Precipitation hardening stainless steels, like the martensitic types, can be strengthened (i.e., hardened) by heat treatment. The mechanism is metallurgically different from the process in the martensitic types. This means that either martensitic or austenitic precipitation hardening structures can be produced. These stainless steels combine high strength and hardness with corrosion resistance which is superior to that of the martensitic chromium stainless steels.