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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 2 vs Stellite 6

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 2 and Stellite 6 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. F1537 Alloy 2 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 950 MPa (138 ksi) against 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) for Stellite 6, about 76% more; tensile strength follows at 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) vs 834 MPa (121 ksi). F1537 Alloy 2 is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 1% for Stellite 6, and Stellite 6 is harder (40 HRC vs 35 HRC). Stellite 6 runs hotter in service (800°C vs 600°C continuous). On the shop floor, Stellite 6 welds better (good vs poor) and F1537 Alloy 2 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Stellite 6 (specialty, $$$$$).

F1537 Alloy 2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Stellite 6Choose it when the part sees heat, or when it will be welded.

F1537 Alloy 2 vs Stellite 6: properties

F1537 Alloy 2Stellite 6

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

230 GPa33.4 Msi
220 GPa31.9 Msi

Shear Modulus

90 GPa13.1 Msi
85 GPa12.3 Msi

Bulk Modulus

185 GPa26.8 Msi
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,280 MPa186 ksi
834 MPa121 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

950 MPa138 ksi
541 MPa78.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
1%

Reduction in Area

30%
—

Shear Strength

780 MPa113 ksi
—

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

620 MPa89.9 ksi
275 MPa39.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
5 J3.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

330 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

35 HRC
40 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

350 HV
425 HV

Compressive Strength

—
1,450 MPa210 ksi

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.44 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,285°C2,345 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,400°C2,552 °F
1,395°C2,543 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14.8 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
423 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.8 µm/m·K7.1 µin/in·°F
12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

275 J/g118 BTU/lb
—

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

2 % IACS
1.9 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

8.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m34.6 µΩ·in
9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

90 / 100
70 / 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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

8%
5%

Weldability

20 / 100
55 / 100

Formability (cold)

18 / 100
5 / 100

Castability

60 / 100
70 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

95 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 8 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

240 MJ/kg103,182 BTU/lb
150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
13 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

154 kN·m/kg
99 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.7 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,962 kJ/m³
665 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.7 mm²/s
4.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
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 6F1537 Alloy 2

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityF1537 Alloy 2Stellite 6
Default condition—As Cast
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$$ Specialty
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

F1537 Alloy 2 vs Stellite 6 — frequently asked

Is F1537 Alloy 2 stronger than Stellite 6?

Yes. F1537 Alloy 2 has a typical yield strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) against 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) for Stellite 6 — about 76% more. Tensile strength is 1,280 MPa (186 ksi) vs 834 MPa (121 ksi).

Which is cheaper, F1537 Alloy 2 or Stellite 6?

F1537 Alloy 2 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, F1537 Alloy 2 or Stellite 6?

Stellite 6. Its weldability rates good (55/100) 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 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.