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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 2 vs F1537 Alloy 3

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 2 and F1537 Alloy 3 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Both yield at about 950 MPa — strength does not separate them. F1537 Alloy 2 runs hotter in service (600°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, F1537 Alloy 3 welds better (30 vs 20 out of 100).

F1537 Alloy 2Choose it when the part sees heat.

F1537 Alloy 3Choose it when it will be welded.

F1537 Alloy 2 vs F1537 Alloy 3: properties

F1537 Alloy 2F1537 Alloy 3

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Shear Modulus

90 GPa13.1 Msi
89 GPa12.9 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.3
0.29

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

950 MPa138 ksi
930 MPa135 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
20%

Reduction in Area

30%
25%

Shear Strength

780 MPa113 ksi
760 MPa110 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

330 HB
340 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

35 HRC
36 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

350 HV
355 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 230 GPa33.4 Msi · Bulk Modulus 185 GPa26.8 Msi · Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 1,280 MPa186 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 620 MPa89.9 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Same in both: Density 8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,330°C2,426 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
500°C932 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 275 J/g118 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 8.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m34.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V · Corrosion Resistance 90 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
12 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

8%
10%

Weldability

20 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

18 / 100
25 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
—

Polishability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb
170 MJ/kg73,087 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
12 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 20%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Modulus of Resilience

1,962 kJ/m³
1,880 kJ/m³

Same in both: Specific Strength (UTS / density) 154 kN·m/kg · Specific Stiffness (E / density) 27.7 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 3.7 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 6

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 scaleF1537 Alloy 3F1537 Alloy 2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityF1537 Alloy 2F1537 Alloy 3
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

F1537 Alloy 2 vs F1537 Alloy 3 — frequently asked

What is the difference between F1537 Alloy 2 and F1537 Alloy 3?

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 2 and F1537 Alloy 3 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Both yield at about 950 MPa — strength does not separate them. F1537 Alloy 2 runs hotter in service (600°C vs 500°C continuous).

Which is cheaper, F1537 Alloy 2 or F1537 Alloy 3?

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, F1537 Alloy 2 or F1537 Alloy 3?

F1537 Alloy 3. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) against poor (20/100) for F1537 Alloy 2.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in F1537 Alloy 2 and F1537 Alloy 3 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.