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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 vs Stellite F

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 and Stellite F are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Stellite 6 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for Stellite F, about 13% more; tensile strength follows at 834 MPa (121 ksi) vs 650 MPa (94.3 ksi). In exchange, Stellite F is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1% for Stellite 6, and Stellite F is harder (43 HRC vs 40 HRC). On the shop floor, Stellite F sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Stellite 6 (specialty, $$$$$).

Stellite 6Choose it when strength drives the design.

Stellite FChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Stellite 6 vs Stellite F: properties

Stellite 6Stellite F

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
215 GPa31.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

85 GPa12.3 Msi
83 GPa12 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

834 MPa121 ksi
650 MPa94.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

541 MPa78.5 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
2%

Compressive Strength

1,450 MPa210 ksi
1,750 MPa254 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
—

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in
35 MPa·√m31.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
8 J5.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

40 HRC
43 HRC

Shear Strength

—
470 MPa68.2 ksi

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 180 GPa26.1 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.3 · Hardness, Vickers 425 HV

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

8.44 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
8.68 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,285°C2,345 °F
1,180°C2,156 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,395°C2,543 °F
1,300°C2,372 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

14.8 W/m·K8.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
14.5 W/m·K8.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
13.8 µm/m·K7.7 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 800°C1,472 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.9 % IACS
—

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.4 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.3 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
72 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

55 / 100
50 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
3 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 8 / 100 · Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 5%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
215 MJ/kg92,433 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
15 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
—

Typical Recycled Content

30%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

99 kN·m/kg
75 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
24.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

665 kJ/m³
536 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.1 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

4
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 6Stellite F

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityStellite 6Stellite F
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Stellite 6 vs Stellite F — frequently asked

Is Stellite 6 stronger than Stellite F?

Yes. Stellite 6 has a typical yield strength of 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for Stellite F — about 13% more. Tensile strength is 834 MPa (121 ksi) vs 650 MPa (94.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Stellite 6 or Stellite F?

Stellite F 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 F?

Stellite 6. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (50/100) for Stellite F.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Stellite 6 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.