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BreakingChips

Stainless · ISO P, cuts like steel

17-4 PH stainless speeds and feeds

Also: 630, SUS630, 1.4542, S17400

Starting points from the same engines as the calculators, with no tool or setup picked. The first number is where to start; the range is what the manufacturer charts allow. Open a calculator for your tool, machine and cut.

Draft data: researched from manufacturer charts, not yet reviewed by a machinist.

Machining notes

Condition A (solution annealed)33 HRC

Turning

CutSFMFeed, IPRDepth, in
Finishing515352–729157 m/min0.0070.004–0.0100.18 mm/rev0.0220.004–0.0400.6 mm
Medium433296–613132 m/min0.0140.007–0.0200.34 mm/rev0.0850.012–0.1582.2 mm
Roughing407278–576124 m/min0.0170.010–0.0240.43 mm/rev0.1490.060–0.2373.8 mm

For a CVD carbide insert, general stability, 15 min tool life.

Milling, solid carbide end mill

Speed 97 (64–161) SFM · 29 m/min

Chip load per tooth, before chip thinning
Cutter ØIPTmm/tooth
1/8"0.00030.0001–0.00040.006
1/4"0.00090.0005–0.00130.023
1/2"0.00160.0010–0.00210.039
3/4"0.00290.0028–0.00300.074
1"0.00340.0028–0.00400.086

Drilling, Ø1/2" at 3×D

DrillSFMFeed, IPR
HSS4530–710.00550.0050–0.0060
Cobalt7225–820.00550.0050–0.0060
Solid carbide, through-coolant202130–5500.00530.0050–0.0057

Feeds scale with drill Ø (0.5" here): the drilling calculator sets them for yours.

Tapping

Cut tap
42 (20–80) SFM
Form tap
28 (12–50) SFM

H115030 HRC

Turning

CutSFMFeed, IPRDepth, in
Finishing560382–792171 m/min0.0070.004–0.0100.18 mm/rev0.0220.004–0.0400.6 mm
Medium470321–665143 m/min0.0140.007–0.0200.34 mm/rev0.0850.012–0.1582.2 mm
Roughing442302–625135 m/min0.0170.010–0.0240.43 mm/rev0.1490.060–0.2373.8 mm

For a CVD carbide insert, general stability, 15 min tool life.

Milling, solid carbide end mill

Speed 105 (70–175) SFM · 32 m/min

Chip load per tooth, before chip thinning
Cutter ØIPTmm/tooth
1/8"0.00030.0001–0.00040.006
1/4"0.00090.0005–0.00130.023
1/2"0.00160.0010–0.00210.039
3/4"0.00290.0028–0.00300.074
1"0.00340.0028–0.00400.086

Drilling, Ø1/2" at 3×D

DrillSFMFeed, IPR
HSSNot enough published data yet: 2 drill makers give an HSS speed for PH stainless, and this site needs 3. Use a cobalt or carbide drill, which 3 or more makers cover.
Cobalt5830–750.00550.0050–0.0060
Solid carbide, through-coolant183145–3000.0030

Feeds scale with drill Ø (0.5" here): the drilling calculator sets them for yours.

Tapping

Cut tap
42 (20–80) SFM
Form tap
28 (12–50) SFM

H90044 HRC

Turning

CutSFMFeed, IPRDepth, in
Finishing400273–566122 m/min0.0070.004–0.0100.18 mm/rev0.0220.004–0.0400.6 mm
Medium336230–476103 m/min0.0140.007–0.0200.34 mm/rev0.0850.012–0.1582.2 mm
Roughing316216–44796 m/min0.0170.010–0.0240.43 mm/rev0.1490.060–0.2373.8 mm

For a CVD carbide insert, general stability, 15 min tool life.

Milling, solid carbide end mill

Speed 75 (50–125) SFM · 23 m/min

Chip load per tooth, before chip thinning
Cutter ØIPTmm/tooth
1/8"0.00030.0001–0.00040.006
1/4"0.00090.0005–0.00130.023
1/2"0.00160.0010–0.00210.039
3/4"0.00290.0028–0.00300.074
1"0.00340.0028–0.00400.086

Drilling, Ø1/2" at 3×D

DrillSFMFeed, IPR
HSSNot enough published data yet: 2 drill makers give an HSS speed for PH stainless, and this site needs 3. Use a cobalt or carbide drill, which 3 or more makers cover.
Cobalt5830–750.00550.0050–0.0060
Solid carbide, through-coolant183145–3000.0030

Feeds scale with drill Ø (0.5" here): the drilling calculator sets them for yours.

Tapping

Cut tap
42 (20–80) SFM
Form tap
28 (12–50) SFM

Sources