Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 vs Stellite 6B
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 and Stellite 6B are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Stellite 6B is the stronger of the two: yield strength 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) for Stellite 6, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 834 MPa (121 ksi). Stellite 6B is the more ductile: elongation 8% versus 1% for Stellite 6, and Stellite 6 is harder (40 HRC vs 38 HRC). On the shop floor, Stellite 6 welds better (good vs poor) and Stellite 6B sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Stellite 6 (specialty, $$$$$).
Stellite 6Choose it when it will be welded.
Stellite 6BChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
Stellite 6 vs Stellite 6B: 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
Compressive Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Hardness, Brinell
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 14.8 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 800°C1,472 °F · 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).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.25 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Machinability 8 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 5% · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 85 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
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 6 | Stellite 6B |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | As Cast | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Stellite 6 vs Stellite 6B — frequently asked
Is Stellite 6B stronger than Stellite 6?
Yes. Stellite 6B has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) against 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) for Stellite 6 — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) vs 834 MPa (121 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Stellite 6 or Stellite 6B?
Stellite 6B is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Stellite 6 is specialty ($$$$$). 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 6 or Stellite 6B?
Stellite 6. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against poor (25/100) for Stellite 6B.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Stellite 6 and Stellite 6B 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.