Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Hiperco 50 vs L605
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Hiperco 50 and L605 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. L605 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Hiperco 50, about 21% more; tensile strength follows at 1,010 MPa (146 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi). L605 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 8% for Hiperco 50, and L605 is harder (240 HB vs 190 HB). Hiperco 50 is lighter (8.12 g/cm³ vs 9.13 g/cm³ for L605) and L605 is stiffer (225 GPa vs 207 GPa). On the shop floor, L605 welds better (very good vs fair) and Hiperco 50 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than L605 (specialty, $$$$$).
Hiperco 50Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
L605Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Hiperco 50 vs L605: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all cobalt-chrome alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all cobalt-chrome alloy grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Hiperco 50 | L605 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Solution Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| Passivation (Stainless Steel) | — | Yes |
Hiperco 50 vs L605 — frequently asked
Is L605 stronger than Hiperco 50?
Yes. L605 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Hiperco 50 — about 21% more. Tensile strength is 1,010 MPa (146 ksi) vs 655 MPa (95 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Hiperco 50 or L605?
Hiperco 50 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while L605 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Hiperco 50 or L605?
Hiperco 50, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 25/100 against 18/100 for L605; for welding the order is L605 first (very good, 72/100) then Hiperco 50 (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Hiperco 50 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.