Cobalt-Chrome Alloy L605 vs S-816
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy L605 and S-816 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Both yield at about 460 MPa — strength does not separate them. L605 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 18% for S-816, and S-816 is harder (300 HB vs 240 HB). S-816 is lighter (8.68 g/cm³ vs 9.13 g/cm³ for L605) and L605 is stiffer (225 GPa vs 200 GPa). On the shop floor, L605 welds better (very good vs poor) and S-816 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than L605 (specialty, $$$$$).
L605Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
S-816Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when cost is the deciding factor.
L605 vs S-816: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
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)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.9 % IACS
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
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 30%
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 | L605 | S-816 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Default condition | Solution Annealed | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| Passivation (Stainless Steel) | Yes | — |
L605 vs S-816 — frequently asked
What is the difference between L605 and S-816?
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy L605 and S-816 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Both yield at about 460 MPa — strength does not separate them. L605 is the more ductile: elongation 58% versus 18% for S-816, and S-816 is harder (300 HB vs 240 HB).
Which is cheaper, L605 or S-816?
S-816 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while L605 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, L605 or S-816?
L605. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (13/100) for S-816; for welding the order is L605 first (very good, 72/100) then S-816 (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in L605 and S-816 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.