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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy ERCoCr-C vs Stellite 6

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy ERCoCr-C and Stellite 6 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. ERCoCr-C is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) for Stellite 6, about 11% more. In exchange, Stellite 6 is the more ductile: elongation 1% versus 0.5% for ERCoCr-C, and ERCoCr-C is harder (52 HRC vs 40 HRC). ERCoCr-C is stiffer (250 GPa vs 220 GPa). On the shop floor, Stellite 6 welds better (good vs fair) and ERCoCr-C sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Stellite 6 (specialty, $$$$$).

ERCoCr-CChoose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Stellite 6Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

ERCoCr-C vs Stellite 6: properties

ERCoCr-CStellite 6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

250 GPa36.3 Msi
220 GPa31.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

96 GPa13.9 Msi
85 GPa12.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

208 GPa30.2 Msi
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
834 MPa121 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

600 MPa87 ksi
541 MPa78.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.5%
1%

Reduction in Area

0.5%
—

Compressive Strength

2,000 MPa290 ksi
1,450 MPa210 ksi

Shear Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

22 MPa·√m20 ksi·√in
25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

3 J2.2 ft·lbf
5 J3.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

520 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

52 HRC
40 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

560 HV
425 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.68 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³
8.44 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,265°C2,309 °F
1,285°C2,345 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,300°C2,372 °F
1,395°C2,543 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F
12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

780°C1,436 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.8 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 423 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.8 % IACS
1.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

9.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m37.4 µΩ·in
9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.25 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 70 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

5 / 100
8 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

3%
5%

Weldability

35 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

2 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

55 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

75 / 100
85 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

145 MJ/kg62,339 BTU/lb
150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

12 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

20%
30%

Embodied Water

—
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

71 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

28.8 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

720 kJ/m³
665 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4 mm²/s
4.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

3
4

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 scaleStellite 6ERCoCr-C

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityERCoCr-CStellite 6
Default condition—As Cast
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

ERCoCr-C vs Stellite 6 — frequently asked

Is ERCoCr-C stronger than Stellite 6?

Yes. ERCoCr-C has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) for Stellite 6 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 834 MPa (121 ksi).

Which is cheaper, ERCoCr-C or Stellite 6?

ERCoCr-C is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Stellite 6 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which welds better, ERCoCr-C or Stellite 6?

Stellite 6. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for ERCoCr-C.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in ERCoCr-C and Stellite 6 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.