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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F1537 Alloy 3-ANN vs F1537 Alloy 3-WW

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · F1537 Alloy 3 temper comparison

F1537 Alloy 3-ANN and F1537 Alloy 3-WW are two conditions of the same cobalt-chrome alloy grade, F1537 Alloy 3: ANN (annealed) versus WW (warm Worked). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. F1537 Alloy 3-WW is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for F1537 Alloy 3-ANN, about 117% more; tensile strength follows at 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi). In exchange, F1537 Alloy 3-ANN is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 18% for F1537 Alloy 3-WW, and F1537 Alloy 3-WW is harder (425 HB vs 275 HB). F1537 Alloy 3-ANN runs hotter in service (600°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, F1537 Alloy 3-ANN welds better (fair vs poor).

F1537 Alloy 3-ANNChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

F1537 Alloy 3-WWChoose it when strength drives the design.

F1537 Alloy 3-ANN vs F1537 Alloy 3-WW: properties

F1537 Alloy 3-ANNF1537 Alloy 3-WW

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,000 MPa145 ksi
1,550 MPa225 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

600 MPa87 ksi
1,300 MPa189 ksi

Elongation at Break

32%
18%

Reduction in Area

35%
22%

Shear Strength

600 MPa87 ksi
930 MPa135 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
830 MPa120 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in
55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in

Hardness, Brinell

275 HB
425 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

28 HRC
45 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

285 HV
450 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 230 GPa33.4 Msi · Shear Modulus 89 GPa12.9 Msi · Bulk Modulus 185 GPa26.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

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.

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

600°C1,112 °F
400°C752 °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 · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°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).

Corrosion Resistance

90 / 100
89 / 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

15 / 100
8 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
6%

Weldability

35 / 100
20 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
10 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 92 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 170 MJ/kg73,087 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 12 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 20%

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 3

F1537 Alloy 3-ANN vs F1537 Alloy 3-WW — frequently asked

Is F1537 Alloy 3-WW stronger than F1537 Alloy 3-ANN?

Yes. F1537 Alloy 3-WW has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 600 MPa (87 ksi) for F1537 Alloy 3-ANN — about 117% more. Tensile strength is 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).

Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, ANN or WW?

HW is the default F1537 Alloy 3 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither ANN nor WW). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.

Which is easier to machine, F1537 Alloy 3-ANN or F1537 Alloy 3-WW?

F1537 Alloy 3-ANN. Its machinability rates poor (15/100) against not recommended (8/100) for F1537 Alloy 3-WW; for welding the order is F1537 Alloy 3-ANN first (fair, 35/100) then F1537 Alloy 3-WW (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in F1537 Alloy 3-ANN and F1537 Alloy 3-WW 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.