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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy AWS BCo-1 vs Tribaloy T-400

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy AWS BCo-1 and Tribaloy T-400 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Tribaloy T-400 is harder — 56 HRC against 52 HRC for AWS BCo-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. AWS BCo-1 runs hotter in service (980°C vs 760°C continuous). On the shop floor, Tribaloy T-400 welds better (fair vs not recommended).

AWS BCo-1Choose it when the part sees heat.

Tribaloy T-400Choose it when surface hardness matters, or when it will be welded.

AWS BCo-1 vs Tribaloy T-400: properties

AWS BCo-1Tribaloy T-400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Strength

300 MPa43.5 ksi
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
56 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

550 HV
640 HV

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

—
225 GPa32.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

—
88 GPa12.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
188 GPa27.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

—
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

—
690 MPa100 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

—
0.5%

Reduction in Area

—
0.5%

Compressive Strength

—
1,900 MPa276 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

—
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
14 MPa·√m12.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

—
600 HB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.4 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.61 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,121°C2,050 °F
1,245°C2,273 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,149°C2,100 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

13 W/m·K7.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

13.8 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

980°C1,796 °F
760°C1,400 °F

Min Service Temperature

-50°C-58 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1.1×10⁻⁶ Ω·m43.3 µΩ·in
9.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m37.4 µΩ·in

Electrical Conductivity

—
1.8 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.15 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 68 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Weldability

10 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
2 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

95 / 100
45 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

—
3%

Castability

—
60 / 100

Polishability

—
80 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 5 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

155 MJ/kg66,638 BTU/lb
190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12 kg CO₂/kg
16 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

10%
20%

Embodied Water

—
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Thermal Diffusivity

3.7 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every cobalt-chrome alloy grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

5007001,0001,5002,0008.28.48.68.89Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleTribaloy T-400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAWS BCo-1Tribaloy T-400
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

AWS BCo-1 vs Tribaloy T-400 — frequently asked

What is the difference between AWS BCo-1 and Tribaloy T-400?

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy AWS BCo-1 and Tribaloy T-400 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Tribaloy T-400 is harder — 56 HRC against 52 HRC for AWS BCo-1 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. AWS BCo-1 runs hotter in service (980°C vs 760°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, AWS BCo-1 or Tribaloy T-400?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, AWS BCo-1 or Tribaloy T-400?

Tribaloy T-400. Its weldability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (10/100) for AWS BCo-1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in AWS BCo-1 and Tribaloy T-400 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.