Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 20 vs Stellite 3
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 20 and Stellite 3 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Stellite 3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Stellite 20, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). Stellite 3 is lighter (8.6 g/cm³ vs 8.98 g/cm³ for Stellite 20) and Stellite 20 is stiffer (250 GPa vs 230 GPa).
Stellite 3Choose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
Stellite 20 vs Stellite 3: 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
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Elongation at Break 0.5% · Reduction in Area 1% · Hardness, Rockwell C 55 HRC · Hardness, Vickers 620 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 1.8 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 9.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m37.4 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Same in both: Machinability 4 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 3% · Formability (cold) 2 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 20%
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 | Stellite 20 | Stellite 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Stellite 20 vs Stellite 3 — frequently asked
Is Stellite 3 stronger than Stellite 20?
Yes. Stellite 3 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Stellite 20 — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Stellite 20 or Stellite 3?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which welds better, Stellite 20 or Stellite 3?
Stellite 20. Its weldability rates poor (25/100) against poor (20/100) for Stellite 3.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Stellite 20 and Stellite 3 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.