Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 12-LC (Laser cladding / DED deposit)
Supply condition
UNS R30012
Best choice for minimal dilution, fine carbide structure and tight heat-input control on precision components.
Values for the LC condition
Other Stellite 12 tempers and conditions
Stellite 12 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Stellite 12.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As cast | Pick for solid wear parts (bushings, nozzles, cutting blades) or as feedstock rod for oxy-fuel/GTAW hardfacing. | 650 | 830 | 1 | 47 HRC | 2 % IACS |
LCThis page Laser cladding / DED deposit | Best choice for minimal dilution, fine carbide structure and tight heat-input control on precision components. | 700 | 880 | 0.8 | 51 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Use when a fully dense, isotropic fine-carbide near-net-shape part with better toughness than casting is required. | 700 | 900 | 2 | 49 HRC | 2 % IACS |
What is Stellite 12-LC?
Stellite 12-LC is Stellite 12 supplied in the LC condition — best choice for minimal dilution, fine carbide structure and tight heat-input control on precision components. Stellite 12-LC has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 235 GPa (34.1 Msi). Stellite 12-LC has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,280°C (2,336 °F).
Advantages
- High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.8%, worse than 78% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
Stellite 12-LC properties
Typical room-temperature values for Stellite 12-LC; 20 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Stellite 12 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Physical3
Stellite 12-LC has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,280°C (2,336 °F).
Mechanical14
Stellite 12-LC has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 0.8% and the elastic modulus is 235 GPa (34.1 Msi).
Thermal6
Stellite 12-LC is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 55% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Stellite 12-LC conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 52% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (74/100), worse than 54% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Stellite 12-LC takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
Stellite 12-LC's machinability is not recommended (7/100, worse than 75% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades); weldability poor (33/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Stellite 12-LC
Is Stellite 12 easy to machine?
Effectively non-machinable in the hardened state — finish by CBN/SiC grinding, lapping or EDM; only very light carbide turning at low speed with rigid setups.
Can Stellite 12 be welded?
Deposit by PTA, GTAW, laser or covered electrode with 300–500 °C preheat, controlled interpass temperature and slow cooling to avoid transverse cracking; expect fine check cracks in thick single-pass beads.
Can Stellite 12 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming — shape by casting, powder consolidation (HIP) or near-net weld/laser deposition and then grind.
What surface finishes work on Stellite 12?
Ground and lapped sealing faces polish to a mirror finish; no anodizing or plating is used, and the alloy is normally left bare as the corrosion/wear surface.
Stellite 12 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CrAWS A5.21 CoCr-B range | 26 – 32 | 30 |
| W | 7 – 9.5 | 8.5 |
| Cprimary carbide former | 1 – 1.7 | 1.45 |
| Ni | ≤ 3 | 1 |
| Femax (undiluted deposit) | ≤ 3 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 0.8 |
| Mo | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Cobalance, nominally ~55% | balance | — |
Stellite 12-LC — frequently asked
What is Stellite 12-LC used for?
Stellite 12-LC is typically used for valve components, shear blades and hot forming dies. In short: balanced hardness and toughness; mid-carbide Stellite grade; overlay or cast forms.
What is the yield strength of Stellite 12-LC?
Stellite 12-LC has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Stellite 12-LC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (7/100, worse than 75% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades). Effectively non-machinable in the hardened state — finish by CBN/SiC grinding, lapping or EDM; only very light carbide turning at low speed with rigid setups.
Can Stellite 12-LC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (33/100). Deposit by PTA, GTAW, laser or covered electrode with 300–500 °C preheat, controlled interpass temperature and slow cooling to avoid transverse cracking; expect fine check cracks in thick single-pass beads.
What surface finishes work on Stellite 12-LC?
Ground and lapped sealing faces polish to a mirror finish; no anodizing or plating is used, and the alloy is normally left bare as the corrosion/wear surface.
Can Stellite 12-LC be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming — shape by casting, powder consolidation (HIP) or near-net weld/laser deposition and then grind.
What is the maximum service temperature of Stellite 12-LC?
Stellite 12-LC is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- AWS A5.21/A5.21M — Bare Electrodes and Rods for Surfacing (CoCr-B) — AWS (2011)
- AWS A5.13 — Surfacing Electrodes for SMAW (ECoCr-B) — AWS (2010)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Cobalt wear alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- Stellite 12 alloy data sheet — Kennametal Stellite / Deloro (2022)
- UNS R30012 alloy record — SAE/ASTM UNS (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.