FabDigitFabDigit

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 vs Tribaloy T-400

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy · grade comparison

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 and Tribaloy T-400 are both cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Tribaloy T-400 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. In exchange, Stellite 6 is the more ductile: elongation 1% versus 0.5% for Tribaloy T-400, and Tribaloy T-400 is harder (56 HRC vs 40 HRC). On the shop floor, Stellite 6 welds better (good vs fair) and Tribaloy T-400 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Stellite 6 (specialty, $$$$$).

Stellite 6Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.

Tribaloy T-400Choose it when strength drives the design, or when cost is the deciding factor.

Stellite 6 vs Tribaloy T-400: properties

Stellite 6Tribaloy T-400

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

220 GPa31.9 Msi
225 GPa32.6 Msi

Shear Modulus

85 GPa12.3 Msi
88 GPa12.8 Msi

Bulk Modulus

180 GPa26.1 Msi
188 GPa27.3 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

834 MPa121 ksi
690 MPa100 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

541 MPa78.5 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

1%
0.5%

Compressive Strength

1,450 MPa210 ksi
1,900 MPa276 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

275 MPa39.9 ksi
300 MPa43.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

25 MPa·√m22.8 ksi·√in
14 MPa·√m12.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

5 J3.7 ft·lbf
3 J2.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

40 HRC
56 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

425 HV
640 HV

Reduction in Area

—
0.5%

Shear Strength

—
550 MPa79.8 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

—
600 HB

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.3

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,285°C2,345 °F
1,245°C2,273 °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 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

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

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

800°C1,472 °F
760°C1,400 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.9 % IACS
1.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

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

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.25 V
-0.15 V

Corrosion Resistance

70 / 100
68 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

8 / 100
5 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

5%
3%

Weldability

55 / 100
35 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
2 / 100

Castability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

85 / 100
80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
190 MJ/kg81,685 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
16 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

30%
20%

Same in both: Embodied Water 400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

99 kN·m/kg
80 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

665 kJ/m³
854 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

4.1 mm²/s
3.9 mm²/s

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26.1 MN·m/kg · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 4

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 6Tribaloy T-400

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityStellite 6Tribaloy T-400
Default conditionAs Cast—
Relative cost$$$$$ Specialty$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Stellite 6 vs Tribaloy T-400 — frequently asked

Is Tribaloy T-400 stronger than Stellite 6?

Yes. Tribaloy T-400 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 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 834 MPa (121 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Stellite 6 or Tribaloy T-400?

Tribaloy T-400 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 Tribaloy T-400?

Stellite 6. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for Tribaloy T-400.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Stellite 6 and Tribaloy T-400 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.