Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 · finish state · default condition
Cobalt-Chrome Alloy Stellite 6 As Cast
Properties of the As Cast condition, compared with the other Stellite 6 tempers.
Default supply form for valve trim, seat rings and cast wear parts; maximum carbide content, lowest ductility.
What is Stellite 6 As Cast?
Stellite 6 As Cast is Stellite 6 supplied in the As Cast condition — default supply form for valve trim, seat rings and cast wear parts; maximum carbide content, lowest ductility. Stellite 6 As Cast has a yield strength of 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 834 MPa (121 ksi) — weaker than 57% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). Stellite 6 As Cast has a density of 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,285°C (2,345 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 55/100, better than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
Stellite 6 As Cast properties
Typical room-temperature values for Stellite 6 As Cast — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Stellite 6 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the cobalt-chrome alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Stellite 6 As Cast has a density of 8.44 g/cm³ (0.305 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,285°C (2,345 °F).
Mechanical13
Stellite 6 As Cast has a yield strength of 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 834 MPa (121 ksi) — weaker than 57% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal5
Stellite 6 As Cast is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 14.8 W/m·K (8.55 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 84% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Stellite 6 As Cast conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 54% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 72% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Stellite 6 As Cast takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 13 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
Stellite 6 As Cast's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 64% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades); weldability good (55/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Stellite 6 tempers and conditions
Stellite 6 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Stellite 6 overview.
- As CastDefaultDefault supply form for valve trim, seat rings and cast wear parts; maximum carbide content, lowest ductility.541 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- Hot WorkedChoose when some ductility and toughness are needed alongside wear resistance (bushings, blades, wear plate); carbides are broken up and aligned.620 MPa yield · 38 HRC
Working with Stellite 6 As Cast
Is Stellite 6 easy to machine?
Treat as a grinding/EDM material — cast Stellite 6 at 40 HRC work-hardens and abrades tools; if turning, use negative-rake CBN or C2 carbide, rigid setup, low speed (10–25 m/min), heavy feed and flood coolant.
Can Stellite 6 be welded?
Deposit by GTAW, PTA, oxy-acetylene or laser cladding with 200–350 °C preheat and slow cooling; expect fine transverse check cracks (usually acceptable), and use 2+ layers or a buffer layer on carbon/low-alloy steel to limit iron dilution.
Can Stellite 6 be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming — parts are cast to near-net shape, PM/HIP consolidated, printed, or hot worked above ~1100 °C in the wrought grade.
What surface finishes work on Stellite 6?
Finish by wet grinding, lapping or superfinishing for valve-seat flatness; do not anodize — surfaces are used bare or lightly passivated, and the alloy takes a mirror polish that improves erosion/sealing life.
Stellite 6 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Cr | 27 – 32 | 29 |
| W | 3.5 – 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Cforms Cr7C3 / M23C6 and W-rich carbides | 0.9 – 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Ni | ≤ 3 | 1 |
| Fe | ≤ 3 | 1.5 |
| Si | ≤ 2 | 1.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1 |
| Mo | ≤ 1.5 | 0.5 |
| Cobalance, ~57–60 % | balance | — |
Stellite 6 As Cast — frequently asked
What is Stellite 6 As Cast used for?
Stellite 6 As Cast is typically used for valve seats and valve trim, hardfacing rods and welding wire, pump sleeves and wear rings, extruder and screw flight overlays, cutting knives and saw teeth and bearing bushings and thrust washers. In short: hardfacing cobalt alloy.
What is the yield strength of Stellite 6 As Cast?
Stellite 6 As Cast has a typical yield strength of 541 MPa (78.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 834 MPa (121 ksi) — weaker than 57% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Stellite 6 As Cast easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 64% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades). Treat as a grinding/EDM material — cast Stellite 6 at 40 HRC work-hardens and abrades tools; if turning, use negative-rake CBN or C2 carbide, rigid setup, low speed (10–25 m/min), heavy feed and flood coolant.
Can Stellite 6 As Cast be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Deposit by GTAW, PTA, oxy-acetylene or laser cladding with 200–350 °C preheat and slow cooling; expect fine transverse check cracks (usually acceptable), and use 2+ layers or a buffer layer on carbon/low-alloy steel to limit iron dilution.
What surface finishes work on Stellite 6 As Cast?
Finish by wet grinding, lapping or superfinishing for valve-seat flatness; do not anodize — surfaces are used bare or lightly passivated, and the alloy takes a mirror polish that improves erosion/sealing life.
Can Stellite 6 As Cast be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming — parts are cast to near-net shape, PM/HIP consolidated, printed, or hot worked above ~1100 °C in the wrought grade.
What is the maximum service temperature of Stellite 6 As Cast?
Stellite 6 As Cast is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Stellite 6 As Cast and Stellite 6-HIP?
As Cast is the default condition — default supply form for valve trim, seat rings and cast wear parts; maximum carbide content, lowest ductility. HIP: choose for near-net-shape parts needing uniform fine carbides, higher strength and better toughness than cast Stellite 6. Yield strength is 541 MPa in As Cast versus 680 MPa in HIP.
Can FabDigit make parts in Stellite 6 As Cast?
Yes — Stellite 6 As Cast is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Stellite 6 Alloy Technical Data — Kennametal Stellite (Deloro) (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Cobalt alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- AWS A5.21 / A5.13 — Bare and covered hardfacing electrodes (ERCCoCr-A, RCoCr-A) — AWS (2021)
- ASTM A560 / UNS R30006 cobalt-chromium-tungsten alloy castings — ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture (hardfacing alloys) — ASM International (1996)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.