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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 1 vs L605

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 1 and L605 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. F1537 Alloy 1 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for L605, about 33% more. In exchange, L605 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 35% for F1537 Alloy 1, and F1537 Alloy 1 is harder (285 HB vs 240 HB). F1537 Alloy 1 is lighter (8.3 g/cm³ vs 9.13 g/cm³ for L605) and L605 runs hotter in service (980°C vs 600°C continuous). On the shop floor, L605 welds better (very good vs good) and F1537 Alloy 1 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than L605 (specialty, $$$$$).

F1537 Alloy 1Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

L605Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

F1537 Alloy 1 vs L605: properties

F1537 Alloy 1L605

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

230 GPa33.4 Msi
225 GPa32.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

90 GPa13.1 Msi
87 GPa12.6 Msi

Bulk Modulus

185 GPa26.8 Msi
178 GPa25.8 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,000 MPa145 ksi
1,010 MPa146 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

610 MPa88.5 ksi
460 MPa66.7 ksi

Elongation at Break

35%
58%

Reduction in Area

45%
55%

Compressive Strength

1,200 MPa174 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

500 MPa72.5 ksi
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

70 J51.6 ft·lbf
90 J66.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

285 HB
240 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

29 HRC
—

Hardness, Vickers

300 HV
250 HV

Hardness, Rockwell B

—
98 HRB

Same in both: Shear Strength 620 MPa89.9 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
9.13 g/cm³0.33 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,329°C2,424 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,410°C2,570 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
9.4 W/m·K5.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
385 J/kg·K0.09 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

275 J/g118 BTU/lb
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
980°C1,796 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

9.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.8 µΩ·in
8.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35 µΩ·in

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.9 % IACS

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

92 / 100
82 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

14 / 100
18 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

14%
12%

Weldability

55 / 100
72 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
70 / 100

Polishability

92 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

210 MJ/kg90,284 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

14 kg CO₂/kg
19 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

20%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

120 kN·m/kg
111 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.7 MN·m/kg
24.6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

809 kJ/m³
470 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.7 mm²/s
2.7 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

5
3

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 scaleL605F1537 Alloy 1

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityF1537 Alloy 1L605
CNC machining—Yes
Default condition—Solution Annealed
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——
Electropolishing—Yes
Passivation (Stainless Steel)—Yes

F1537 Alloy 1 vs L605 — frequently asked

Is F1537 Alloy 1 stronger than L605?

Yes. F1537 Alloy 1 has a typical yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) against 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) for L605 — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 1,010 MPa (146 ksi).

Which is cheaper, F1537 Alloy 1 or L605?

F1537 Alloy 1 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while L605 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, F1537 Alloy 1 or L605?

L605. Its weldability rates very good (72/100) against good (55/100) for F1537 Alloy 1.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in F1537 Alloy 1 and L605 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.