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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Haynes 188 vs Ultimet

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Haynes 188 and Ultimet are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Ultimet is the stronger of the two: yield strength 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 464 MPa (67.3 ksi) for Haynes 188, about 6% more. In exchange, Haynes 188 is the more ductile: elongation 53% versus 39% for Ultimet, and Ultimet is harder (277 HB vs 215 HB). Ultimet is lighter (8.47 g/cm³ vs 8.98 g/cm³ for Haynes 188) and Haynes 188 runs hotter in service (1,095°C vs 900°C continuous).

Haynes 188Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

UltimetChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Haynes 188 vs Ultimet: properties

Haynes 188Ultimet

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

232 GPa33.6 Msi
224 GPa32.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

89 GPa12.9 Msi
86 GPa12.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

193 GPa28 Msi
187 GPa27.1 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

960 MPa139 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

464 MPa67.3 ksi
490 MPa71.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

53%
39%

Reduction in Area

50%
40%

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

110 J81.1 ft·lbf
130 J95.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

215 HB
277 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

95 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

225 HV
290 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
28 HRC

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Shear Strength 620 MPa89.9 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.98 g/cm³0.32 lb/in³
8.47 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,302°C2,376 °F
1,330°C2,426 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,330°C2,426 °F
1,355°C2,471 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

10.8 W/m·K6.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
11 W/m·K6.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

403 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
425 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

1,095°C2,003 °F
900°C1,652 °F

Latent Heat of Fusion

—
270 J/g116 BTU/lb

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.7 % IACS
2 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.01×10⁻⁶ Ω·m39.8 µΩ·in
8.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m34.6 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.15 V
-0.2 V

Corrosion Resistance

78 / 100
82 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

15 / 100
18 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

12%
10%

Formability (cold)

65 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Polishability

70 / 100
85 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 75 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

280 MJ/kg120,378 BTU/lb
130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

19 kg CO₂/kg
9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

107 kN·m/kg
118 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.8 MN·m/kg
26.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

464 kJ/m³
536 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3 mm²/s
3.1 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 scaleHaynes 188Ultimet

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityHaynes 188Ultimet
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Haynes 188 vs Ultimet — frequently asked

Is Ultimet stronger than Haynes 188?

Yes. Ultimet has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) against 464 MPa (67.3 ksi) for Haynes 188 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 960 MPa (139 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Haynes 188 or Ultimet?

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.

When should I choose Haynes 188 over Ultimet?

Pick Haynes 188 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat. Pick Ultimet when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Haynes 188 and Ultimet 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.