Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 20 vs Stellite 6
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 20 and Stellite 6 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Stellite 6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Stellite 20, about 20% more; tensile strength follows at 834 MPa (121 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). Stellite 6 is the more ductile: elongation 1% versus 0.5% for Stellite 20, and Stellite 20 is harder (55 HRC vs 40 HRC). Stellite 6 is lighter (8.44 g/cm³ vs 8.98 g/cm³ for Stellite 20) and Stellite 20 is stiffer (250 GPa vs 220 GPa). On the shop floor, Stellite 6 welds better (good vs poor) and Stellite 20 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Stellite 6 (specialty, $$$$$).
Stellite 20Choose it when cost is the deciding factor.
Stellite 6Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Stellite 20 vs Stellite 6: 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)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Bulk Modulus
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: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
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.
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)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
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 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | As Cast |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Stellite 20 vs Stellite 6 — frequently asked
Is Stellite 6 stronger than Stellite 20?
Yes. Stellite 6 has a typical yield strength of 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Stellite 20 — about 20% more. Tensile strength is 834 MPa (121 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Stellite 20 or Stellite 6?
Stellite 20 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Stellite 6 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, Stellite 20 or Stellite 6?
Stellite 6. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (25/100) for Stellite 20.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Stellite 20 and Stellite 6 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.