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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 20 vs Stellite F

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 20 and Stellite F are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Stellite F is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Stellite 20, about 7% more; tensile strength follows at 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi). Stellite F is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 0.5% for Stellite 20, and Stellite 20 is harder (55 HRC vs 43 HRC). Stellite F is lighter (8.68 g/cm³ vs 8.98 g/cm³ for Stellite 20) and Stellite 20 is stiffer (250 GPa vs 215 GPa). On the shop floor, Stellite F welds better (fair vs poor).

Stellite FChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Stellite 20 vs Stellite F: properties

Stellite 20Stellite F

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

250 GPa36.3 Msi
215 GPa31.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

97 GPa14.1 Msi
83 GPa12 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.29
0.3

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

480 MPa69.6 ksi
650 MPa94.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

450 MPa65.3 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

0.5%
2%

Reduction in Area

1%
—

Compressive Strength

2,000 MPa290 ksi
1,750 MPa254 ksi

Shear Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

12 MPa·√m10.9 ksi·√in
35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

2 J1.5 ft·lbf
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

570 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

55 HRC
43 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

620 HV
425 HV

Bulk Modulus

—
180 GPa26.1 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,150°C2,102 °F
1,180°C2,156 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,290°C2,354 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F
13.8 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

750°C1,382 °F
800°C1,472 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.5 W/m·K8.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.8 % IACS
—

Electrical Resistivity

9.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m37.4 µΩ·in
9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

65 / 100
72 / 100

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

—
-0.3 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

4 / 100
8 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

3%
5%

Weldability

25 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

2 / 100
3 / 100

Same in both: Castability 60 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 75 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

200 MJ/kg85,985 BTU/lb
215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
15 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

20%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

53 kN·m/kg
75 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

27.8 MN·m/kg
24.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

405 kJ/m³
536 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

3.8 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 3

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 scaleStellite 20Stellite F

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityStellite 20Stellite F
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Stellite 20 vs Stellite F — frequently asked

Is Stellite F stronger than Stellite 20?

Yes. Stellite F has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for Stellite 20 — about 7% more. Tensile strength is 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) vs 480 MPa (69.6 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Stellite 20 or Stellite F?

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 F?

Stellite F. Its weldability rates fair (50/100) 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 F 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.