Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 3 AW-GTAW
Finish state
AW-GTAW = as-Welded
Pick for manual hardfacing of wear pads and edges where some substrate dilution is acceptable.
Values for the AW-GTAW condition
Other Stellite 3 tempers and conditions
Stellite 3 is listed in 2 conditions; see the grade overview at Stellite 3.
- AW-GTAW
- AS-CAST
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AW-GTAWThis page As-Welded | Pick for manual hardfacing of wear pads and edges where some substrate dilution is acceptable. | 540 | 550 | 0 | 53 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
AS-CASTDefault cast rod / cast component, no post heat treatment | Standard stocked form: chill-cast welding rod and investment/sand-cast wear parts used as-cast. | 600 | 620 | 0.5 | 55 HRC | 1.8 % IACS |
What is Stellite 3 AW-GTAW?
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW is Stellite 3 supplied in the AW-GTAW condition — pick for manual hardfacing of wear pads and edges where some substrate dilution is acceptable. Stellite 3 AW-GTAW has a yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 54% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi). Stellite 3 AW-GTAW has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,240°C (2,264 °F). AS-CAST is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW-GTAW is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 10.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0%, worse than 100% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Low fracture toughness — 9 MPa·√m (8.19 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 55/100, worse than 93% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 87% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW properties
Typical room-temperature values for Stellite 3 AW-GTAW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Stellite 3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Physical3
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW has a density of 8.6 g/cm³ (0.311 lb/in³), heavier than 63% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,240°C (2,264 °F).
Mechanical15
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW has a yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 54% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi).
Thermal5
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW 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 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW conducts electricity at 1.8 % IACS, worse than 75% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 93% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Stellite 3 AW-GTAW takes about 135 MJ of energy and emits 10.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability8
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW's machinability is not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Stellite 3 AW-GTAW
Is Stellite 3 easy to machine?
Treat as grind-only: use CBN or SiC/diamond wheels; carbide turning is impractical above ~50 HRC and the carbide network destroys edges rapidly.
Can Stellite 3 be welded?
Deposit by oxyacetylene, GTAW or PTA with 300–650 °C preheat, slow interpass cooling and slow post-weld cool; relief check-cracking in the deposit is normal and generally acceptable for abrasion service.
Can Stellite 3 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming — supplied as cast rod, castings or atomised powder; shape by casting or near-net cladding.
What surface finishes work on Stellite 3?
Finish by grinding, lapping or polishing to a fine wear surface; no anodising, and plating/painting are unnecessary since the alloy is inherently passive.
Stellite 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigh carbon — forms primary Cr/W carbides | 2 – 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Cr | 29 – 32 | 30.5 |
| W | 11 – 13.5 | 12.5 |
| Ni | ≤ 3 | 1.5 |
| Fe | ≤ 3 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Mo | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Cobalance, nominally ~48–52 % | balance | — |
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW — frequently asked
What is Stellite 3 AW-GTAW used for?
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW is typically used for valve seats, cutting tool tips, extrusion dies and extreme abrasion surfaces. In short: hardest common Stellite; carbide-rich abrasion grade; cast or overlay only.
What is the yield strength of Stellite 3 AW-GTAW?
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW has a typical yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 54% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Stellite 3 AW-GTAW easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (3/100, worse than 100% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades). Treat as grind-only: use CBN or SiC/diamond wheels; carbide turning is impractical above ~50 HRC and the carbide network destroys edges rapidly.
Can Stellite 3 AW-GTAW be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Deposit by oxyacetylene, GTAW or PTA with 300–650 °C preheat, slow interpass cooling and slow post-weld cool; relief check-cracking in the deposit is normal and generally acceptable for abrasion service.
What surface finishes work on Stellite 3 AW-GTAW?
Finish by grinding, lapping or polishing to a fine wear surface; no anodising, and plating/painting are unnecessary since the alloy is inherently passive.
Can Stellite 3 AW-GTAW be formed, bent or molded?
No cold or hot forming — supplied as cast rod, castings or atomised powder; shape by casting or near-net cladding.
What is the maximum service temperature of Stellite 3 AW-GTAW?
Stellite 3 AW-GTAW 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.
What is the difference between Stellite 3 AS-CAST and Stellite 3 AW-GTAW?
AS-CAST is the default condition — standard stocked form: chill-cast welding rod and investment/sand-cast wear parts used as-cast. AW-GTAW: pick for manual hardfacing of wear pads and edges where some substrate dilution is acceptable. Yield strength is 600 MPa in AS-CAST versus 540 MPa in AW-GTAW.
Sources
- Stellite 3 alloy datasheet (cast rod and powder) — Kennametal Stellite / Deloro Wear Solutions (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Cobalt-base wear alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials (Cobalt alloys) — ASM International (2005)
- AWS A5.21 — Bare Electrodes and Rods for Surfacing (Co-Cr-W classes) — AWS (2011)
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.