1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 / Custom 450) Forging Parts | China Jiangsu Professional Manufacturer
Jiangsu Liangyi Co., Limited — ISO 9001:2015 certified, established 1997, Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China — is a professional manufacturer of 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 / UNS S45000 / Custom 450) open die forgings, seamless rolled rings, forged bars and custom machined components. Products comply with AMS5773E, DIN EN, ASTM, API 6A and ASME standards and are exported to 50+ countries across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and beyond.
What Is 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) Steel? — Material Overview & Global Grade Cross-Reference
Established in 1997, Jiangsu Liangyi is an ISO 9001:2015 certified professional manufacturer of 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) open die forging parts and seamless rolled steel forged rings, based in Jiangyin, Jiangsu — a core industrial cluster for advanced forging in China. With over 25 years of specialized manufacturing experience, an 80,000 ㎡ modern production plant and 120,000 tons annual production capacity, we supply high-quality custom 1.4594 forgings to industrial customers in more than 50 countries across Europe, North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America.
1.4594 (also known as X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5, X5CrNiMoCuNb14.5, X5CrNiMoCuNb145, UNS S45000, and Custom 450) is a special age-hardenable martensitic stainless steel designed for critical industrial parts. This high-performance alloy contains 13–15% chromium, 5–6% nickel, 1.2–2.0% molybdenum, 1.2–2.0% copper and 0.15–0.60% niobium. Together these elements provide an excellent combination of medium to high strength (tensile strength 1000–1200 MPa), improved corrosion resistance, good formability, and stable ductility and toughness in extreme industrial conditions from cryogenic service (−60°C) to high temperatures up to 315°C.
Global Standard Compliance & Grade Cross-Reference
- EN/DIN Standard: 1.4594, X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 (DIN EN 10088-3)
- ASTM/UNS Standard: UNS S45000, Custom 450
- Aerospace Material Specification: AMS5773E Compliant
- Industry Standards: API 6A, ASME Section II / VIII
- Note: Products can also be manufactured to meet customer-specified proprietary engineering standards (e.g. turbomachinery OEM specs) upon request
1.4594 vs. 17-4PH vs. 13-8Mo — Grade Comparison Table
Understanding how 1.4594 (Custom 450) compares to other common precipitation-hardening stainless steels helps engineers choose the most suitable material for their specific application:
| Property / Feature | 1.4594 / X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 (Custom 450 / UNS S45000) | 1.4542 / X5CrNiCuNb16-4 (17-4PH / UNS S17400) | 1.4534 / X3CrNiMoAl13-8-2 (13-8Mo / UNS S13800) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microstructure | Age-hardening Martensitic | Age-hardening Martensitic | Age-hardening Martensitic |
| Cr / Ni content | 13–15% Cr / 5–6% Ni | 15–17.5% Cr / 3–5% Ni | 12.25–13.25% Cr / 7.5–8.5% Ni |
| Hardening mechanism | Cu + Nb carbide precipitation | Cu precipitation | NiAl intermetallic precipitation |
| Peak tensile strength | 1000–1200 MPa (typical) | Up to ~1310 MPa (H900) | Up to ~1500 MPa (H950) |
| Corrosion resistance vs. 316L | Comparable to 316L | Below 316L | Comparable to 316L |
| Chloride / mild acid resistance | Superior (Mo-enhanced) | Moderate | Superior (Mo-enhanced) |
| Low-temperature toughness | Good (min. 40J @ +20°C) | Moderate | Excellent |
| Weldability | Good | Good | Moderate |
| Primary applications | Turbine blades, valves, pumps, oil & gas | General industry, aerospace, oil & gas | Aerospace, high-stress structural |
| NACE MR0175 sour service | Yes (over-aged condition) | Yes (H1150 condition) | Yes (H1000 condition) |
| Applicable standard | AMS5773E, DIN EN 10088-3 | AMS5604, DIN EN 10088-3 | AMS5629, DIN EN 10088-3 |
Core Performance Advantages of 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) Stainless Steel
Compared with conventional stainless steel grades, 1.4594 has unique performance benefits, so that it is the best choice material for important industrial parts needing both strength and corrosion resistance:
- Superior Corrosion Resistance: Significantly outperforms 17-4PH (1.4542) and 410 stainless steel in mild acid, chloride-containing and humid industrial environments, providing corrosion resistance comparable to 316L austenitic stainless steel while delivering much higher mechanical strength
- Excellent Age-Hardenable Strength: Achieves stable tensile strength of 1000–1200 MPa through a simple aging heat treatment process with minimal dimensional deformation, making it ideal for precision-machined parts needing tight tolerances
- Outstanding Toughness & Ductility: Keeps a minimum 40J longitudinal impact energy at room temperature with 10–15% elongation, effectively avoiding brittle fracture under dynamic and impact loading conditions
- Wide Temperature Adaptability: Delivers stable and reliable performance from −60°C cryogenic service up to 315°C continuous high-temperature working conditions, suitable for both cryogenic processing and thermal power generation applications
- Superior Fabricability: Excellent weldability, forgeability and machinability characteristics support the manufacturing of custom matrix shapes and tight-tolerance machining for diverse industrial part applications
Complete Range of Custom 1.4594 Forged Product Forms
We produce a full range of custom 1.4594 X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forging products strictly following international standards and customer technical drawings. Our production capacity covers single-piece weights from 30 kg to 30,000 kg, and full EN10204 3.1/3.2 certification is available upon request. Following are our available product forms:
- 1.4594 Forged Steel round bars, square bars, flat bars, rectangular bars and rods (maximum diameter up to 2000 mm)
- X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forged seamless rolled rings, contoured rings, gear rings and seal rings (maximum diameter up to 6000 mm)
- X5CrNiMoCuNb145 forged hubs, housing shells, sleeves, bushes, cases and seamless hollow bars (maximum OD up to 3000 mm)
- X5CrNiMoCuNb14.5 forged discs, disks, blocks, plates and flanged blanks (maximum diameter up to 3000 mm)
- 1.4594 forged pipes, tubes, tubings, shells, casings, barrels, tube sheets and nozzles for pressure equipment applications
- Custom stepped shafts, turbine shafts, pump shafts, valve stems and other precision-machined forged parts
End-to-End Manufacturing Process & Quality Assurance
We provide complete end-to-end manufacturing solutions for 1.4594 forgings, from premium raw material melting to finished precision machining, with full in-house forging equipment and advanced quality inspection facilities to ensure complete traceability and consistent product quality:
1. Premium Melting Process
All 1.4594 stainless steel parts are made using basic electric furnace melting. We can also offer optional Electro-Slag Remelting (ESR) or Vacuum-Arc Remelting (VAR) for important aerospace and turbomachinery parts that need very pure material. Our melting process meets the AMS5773E standard completely, which means that there are very few inclusions and the material matrix is always the same.
2. Precision Forging Process
We have 2000T–6300T hydraulic forging presses, 1T–9T electro-hydraulic forging hammers, and 1M–5M seamless ring rolling machines. We enforce strict forging ratio control with a minimum ratio of 3:1, which refines the grain matrix, eliminates internal porosity, and makes sure the material achieves excellent mechanical properties and structural integrity.
3. Controlled Heat Treatment
We operate 10 continuous heat treatment furnaces capable of precise solution annealing and age hardening for 1.4594 forgings. Solution annealing is performed at 1020–1060°C followed by rapid cooling. Age hardening is carried out at 480–620°C for 4 hours.
We keep complete documentation of the entire heat treatment process, including detailed temperature‑time charts, to guarantee consistent mechanical properties for every batch.
4. Finish Machining & Comprehensive Quality Inspection
We offer CNC finish machining with tight tolerance control, as well as full in-house quality inspection including chemical composition analysis, mechanical property tests, metallographic analysis, and non-destructive testing (UT/MT/PT/RT) to make sure every part meets or goes beyond customer requirements and international standards.
Industry Applications & Representative Global Project Cases
Our 1.4594 X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forged parts are widely used in critical industrial sectors that need high strength, reliable corrosion resistance and consistent long-term performance under extreme working conditions. The following are representative project cases:
Power Generation & Turbomachinery Industry
- 1.4594 forged gas compressor and steam turbine blade flat rectangular bars
- X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forged gas and steam turbine disks, turbine impellers, turbine blisks and turbine discs
- X5CrNiMoCuNb14.5 forged double-ended studs, fasteners and bolts for gas and steam turbines
- X5CrNiMoCuNb145 forged turbine guide rings, seal rings, labyrinth rings, packing seal diaphragm & seal rings, rotor end rings and casing rings
Asia Thermal Power Plant Project Case: We have supplied more than 2000 tons of 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) steam turbine blade flat bars, turbine discs, impellers and double-ended fasteners to many thermal power plants in Southeast Asia and East Asia. All parts meet the AMS5773E standard and have passed strict residual stress testing and metallographic inspection. They have run steadily in high-temperature and high-pressure steam conditions for more than 5 years, and we have been a long-term supplier of these customers.
European Turbomachinery Project Case: We custom produced X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 gas compressor turbine blades, guide rings, labyrinth seal rings and rotor end rings for a leading European turbomachinery manufacturer. Using the ESR remelting process guarantees ultra-fine grain matrix and high toughness. The parts pass high-speed dynamic balancing and −40°C low-temperature impact testing, fully meeting DIN EN standards for high-end industrial compressors.
Oil & Gas Valve & Flow Control Industry
- X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forged valve bonnets, valve bodies, valve closures, valve stems, valve seat rings, valve cores and valve discs
- 1.4594 forged tubing hangers, casing hangers, wellhead parts and Christmas tree parts for onshore and offshore oilfield applications
Middle East Oil & Gas Project Case: We supply X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forged valve bodies, bonnets, seat rings, stems and main parts for 8 big oil and gas valve makers working on onshore and offshore projects in the Middle East. The parts are specially optimized for sour service environments and meet the NACE MR0175 standard. They pass 100% UT/MT non-destructive testing and have been successfully used in high-pressure oil and gas production systems up to 15,000 psi.
Industrial Pump & Petrochemical Equipment Industry
- X5CrNiMoCuNb14.5 forged pump cases, pump impellers, pump wear rings and pump shafts for centrifugal pumps and chemical process pumps
- 1.4594 forged pipes, tubes, shells, tube sheets, nozzles and channel flanges for boilers, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, reactors and heaters
Global Petrochemical Project Case: We produce 1.4594 forged pump casings, impellers, wear rings, shafts, tube sheets and pressure vessel shells for petrochemical and heat exchanger manufacturers in Europe, North America and China. With strong resistance to chemical corrosion and erosion, these parts meet ASME Section VIII pressure vessel standards. The maximum single-piece weight can reach 30 tons, making them suitable for transporting corrosive chemical media and high-temperature heat exchange service.
Mining, Marine & General Engineering Industry
- 1.4594 forged parts for mining machinery, marine equipment, chemical processing and desalination plants
- Custom 1.4594 forged gears, wheels, flanges and structural parts for heavy engineering equipment
Chemical Composition of X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 (1.4594)
| Element | Content Range (Weight %) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0 to 0.070% |
| Chromium (Cr) | 13.0 to 15.0% |
| Nickel (Ni) | 5.0 to 6.0% |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 1.2 to 2.0% |
| Copper (Cu) | 1.2 to 2.0% |
| Niobium (Nb) | 0.15 to 0.60% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0 to 1.00% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0 to 0.70% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0 to 0.040% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0 to 0.015% |
| Nitrogen (N) | Maximum 0.03% |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance (72.6 to 79.5%) |
Mechanical Properties of 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) Forged Steel
After standard solution annealing and age hardening heat treatment, all mechanical properties are tested, which makes sure all values meet or exceed EN and ASTM standard requirements:
| Mechanical Property | Guaranteed Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | 1000 – 1200 MPa |
| 0.2% Proof Strength (Rp0.2) | Minimum 860 MPa |
| Elongation at Fracture (A) | 10 – 15% |
| Impact Energy (KV, Longitudinal, +20°C) | Minimum 40 J |
| Brinell Hardness (HB, +AT Condition) | Maximum 360 HB |
Strict Inspection Standards & Quality Certification
All our X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 forged steel products are tested and inspected based on international standards, and they are fully traceable from raw material to finished product. Following are our testing standards:
- ASTM E10: Standard Test Method for Brinell Hardness of Metallic Materials
- ASTM A370: Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
- ASTM E23: Standard Test Methods for Notched Bar Impact Testing of Metallic Materials
- AMS 2315: Determination of Delta Ferrite Content in Austenitic and Martensitic Stainless Steel
- ASTM E45: Standard Test Methods for Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel
- ASTM E112: Standard Test Methods for Determining Average Grain Size
- ASTM E837: Standard Test Method for Determining Residual Stresses by the Hole-Drilling Strain-Gage Method
Every batch of our finished 1.4594 forged steel products is supplied with a complete mill test report (MTC), including:
- Identification number, material number and designation, order number, drawing number and specification number
- Heat number, full heat chemical analysis, melting method and finished product chemical analysis
- Complete heat treatment certificate with cooling method, actual holding temperature, holding time, cooling conditions and full re-heat-treatment graphic records
- Full non-destructive testing (NDT) records and NDT inspector certification
- Complete mechanical test results and residual stress measurement results (for process qualification)
- Dimensional and visual inspection report, cleaning verification and all deviation reports
- EN10204 3.1 Mill Test Report (issued by our own quality department, standard for all orders); EN10204 3.2 Inspection Certificate with independent third-party inspector available upon customer request
Customization Service & Global Delivery Support
As a professional forged steel material manufacturer with over 25 years of export experience, we provide a full range of custom forging solutions for global industrial customers:
- Full Customization Capability: We manufacture custom 1.4594 forgings according to customer's technical drawings, material requirements and heat treatment specifications, supporting both small-batch prototype production and large-scale mass production
- Global Logistics & Delivery: Strategically located in Jiangyin, Jiangsu, we are in close proximity to Shanghai Port and Ningbo Port, providing fast sea freight, air freight and railway transportation to all major ports around the world, with flexible delivery terms (FOB, CIF, EXW, DDP)
- Professional Technical Support: Our experienced engineering team provides material selection guidance, forging process optimization and heat treatment solution support, helping customers reduce costs and improve product performance
- Pre-sales & After-sales Service: We provide fast quotation response within 24 hours, free sample testing support, and complete after-sales tracking service to ensure customer satisfaction
Frequently Asked Questions About 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) Forgings
What is 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) stainless steel?
1.4594, also known as X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 (DIN/EN), UNS S45000, or Custom 450, is a martensitic stainless steel that can be strengthened by heat treatment. It contains 13–15% chromium, 5–6% nickel, 1.2–2.0% molybdenum, 1.2–2.0% copper, and 0.15–0.60% niobium. After solution annealing and aging, it reaches a tensile strength of 1000–1200 MPa, while keeping great corrosion resistance similar to 316L austenitic stainless steel.
What is the difference between 1.4594 (Custom 450) and 17-4PH (1.4542 / Custom 630)?
Both are martensitic stainless steels that have been heat-treated to make them stronger. However, 1.4594 (Custom 450 / UNS S45000) is better at resisting corrosion in chloride and mildly acidic environments because it has more molybdenum (1.2–2.0%) and copper. 1.4594 also shows better toughness at low temperatures. 17-4PH can reach a slightly higher maximum tensile strength (up to about 1310 MPa under H900 condition), but with lower corrosion resistance. For turbine and valve parts used with corrosive materials, 1.4594 is the better choice.
What are the main applications of 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) forged parts?
1.4594 forged parts are used in gas and steam turbine parts including blade bars, discs, impellers and seal rings, oil and gas valves such as valve bodies, bonnets, stems and seat rings, industrial pumps like casings, impellers and shafts, as well as pressure vessels, heat exchangers, petrochemical equipment, marine hardware and mining machinery. It is the best choice material for applications needing high strength, corrosion resistance and toughness all at the same time.
What standards does 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) comply with?
1.4594 / X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5 complies with: DIN EN 10088-3 (stainless steel long products), AMS5773E (aerospace material specification for bars, wire and forgings), ASTM A564 / UNS S45000 (Custom 450 precipitation-hardening stainless steel), API 6A (wellhead and Christmas tree equipment), and ASME Section II and Section VIII (pressure vessel code). Products can also be made to meet customer-specified proprietary engineering standards upon request.
What heat treatment does 1.4594 forging require?
1.4594 forgings are given a two-stage heat treatment: (1) Solution annealing at approximately 1020–1060°C followed by rapid cooling, which produces a soft martensitic or near-martensitic structure; (2) Age hardening (precipitation hardening) at 480–620°C for 4 hours, which precipitates fine copper-rich and niobium-rich carbide phases to achieve final mechanical properties. Lower aging temperatures yield higher strength; higher aging temperatures provide better toughness and NACE compliance.
What is the maximum size of 1.4594 forgings available from Jiangsu Liangyi?
Jiangsu Liangyi can make 1.4594 forgings with weight ranges from 30 kg to 30,000 kg per single piece. Forged round bars up to 2000 mm diameter; seamless rolled rings up to 6000 mm outer diameter; forged discs and blocks up to 3000 mm diameter; forged hollow bars and sleeves up to 3000 mm OD. Custom dimensions outside these ranges may be discussed case by case.
Can 1.4594 forged parts be supplied with EN10204 3.2 third-party inspection certification?
Yes. Jiangsu Liangyi provides 1.4594 forgings with EN10204 3.1 mill test reports as standard. EN10204 3.2 certification with independent third-party inspection is available upon customer request. Approved inspection agencies include Bureau Veritas (BV), SGS, TÜV, Lloyd's Register, DNV and other agencies specified by the customer.
Is 1.4594 (Custom 450) suitable for sour service (H₂S) oil and gas environments?
1.4594 (Custom 450 / UNS S45000) can be used in mild sour service environments when processed with over-aging to bring hardness below 34 HRC, as needed by NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156. Jiangsu Liangyi has experience supplying 1.4594 valve and wellhead parts for Middle East oil and gas projects that meet NACE MR0175 standards. Always check the NACE-compliant heat treatment requirements with our engineering team before finalizing your material specification.
How long is the lead time for custom 1.4594 forging parts from China?
Standard lead time is usually 4–10 weeks, depending on order volume, part complexity and inspection needs. Small rush orders can be finished in 3–4 weeks. Sea freight from Jiangyin (near Shanghai and Ningbo ports) takes about 25–35 days to Europe, and 30–40 days to North America. Jiangsu Liangyi provides a detailed production schedule with every confirmed order.
Does Jiangsu Liangyi use ESR (Electro-Slag Re-Melt) for 1.4594 forgings?
Yes. For important aerospace and turbomachinery parts, Jiangsu Liangyi offers 1.4594 steel made with ESR (Electro-Slag Re-Melt) or VAR (Vacuum Arc Re-Melt), in addition to standard EAF melting. ESR/VAR greatly reduces inclusions, refines grain structure, and improves transverse toughness and fatigue resistance. ESR material meeting AMS5773EESR is available for gas turbine blades and discs.
Contact Us for Custom 1.4594 (X5CrNiMoCuNb14-5) Forging Quotation
Jiangsu Liangyi is a leading Chinese manufacturer of open die forgings and seamless rolled rings, focused on supplying high-quality 1.4594 stainless steel forgings to industrial customers worldwide. We welcome you to send your custom technical drawings, material specifications, order quantity and technical requirements for a detailed and competitive quote. Our professional sales team will reply to you within 24 hours.
Request Your Quotation TodayInquiry Email: sales@jnmtforgedparts.com
Phone/WhatsApp: +86-13585067993
Website: https://www.jnmtforgedparts.com
Address: Chengchang Industry Park, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China 214400