In the world of advanced materials, Stellite 12 stands out as a remarkable cobalt-chromium alloy, renowned for its exceptional wear and corrosion resistance, as well as its ability to perform under high temperatures. Whether you’re in the timber industry seeking durable saw tips, in the beverage industry looking for reliable control plates, or involved in high-temperature applications, understanding the composition, properties, and uses of Stellite 12 can provide significant advantages. This alloy’s unique blend of cobalt, chromium, and tungsten, among other elements, grants it superior hardness and strength, making it indispensable in various industrial applications. Dive into the intricate details of Stellite 12 as we explore its chemical makeup, mechanical properties, and diverse applications that make it a go-to solution for enduring performance in challenging environments.
Stellite 12 is a well-known cobalt-based alloy, highly regarded for its outstanding wear and corrosion resistance, as well as its performance in high-temperature environments. Originally developed for challenging environments, Stellite alloys are now essential in many industries because of their robust properties.
Stellite 12 is designed to provide an ideal balance of hardness and toughness. With a higher carbon content than other Stellite alloys, Stellite 12 offers improved wear resistance while still being ductile enough for various uses. The unique makeup of Stellite 12 enables the formation of hard carbides, greatly enhancing its durability and effectiveness in abrasive conditions.
Industries like metal processing, power generation, and chemical processing often use Stellite 12 for its ability to withstand extreme wear and tear. Stellite 12 is ideal for components in harsh environments because it retains its strength and structure at high temperatures.
Stellite 12 is widely used to make industrial knives, saw tips, valve components, and more. It is especially valuable in situations where ongoing mechanical stress and corrosion would damage other materials.
Using Stellite 12, industries can boost equipment lifespan and efficiency, cut maintenance costs, and increase overall reliability.
Stellite 12 is a durable cobalt-based alloy designed to perform well under extreme conditions. The typical composition of Stellite 12 includes a variety of elements that contribute to its outstanding properties. Cobalt forms the base of Stellite 12, constituting approximately 27-32% of the alloy. Cobalt helps the alloy stay strong in high temperatures and corrosive environments.
Stellite 12 contains 7.5-9.5% chromium, which improves hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Chromium significantly contributes to the alloy’s ability to resist corrosion, particularly in oxidizing environments, by forming a protective oxide layer on the surface.
Tungsten content in Stellite 12 ranges from 1.4-1.7% for hardfacings and 1.7-2.0% for castings. Tungsten increases the alloy’s hardness and strength at high temperatures, allowing Stellite 12 to maintain its integrity in high-temperature applications.
Carbon helps form hard carbides that make the alloy wear-resistant. The carbon content in Stellite 12 is between 1.7-2.0%, contributing to its exceptional wear resistance and hardness in abrasive conditions.
In addition to the primary elements, Stellite 12 contains smaller quantities of other elements such as Nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe), Silicon (Si), and Manganese (Mn). These elements, though present in minor amounts, contribute to the overall properties of the alloy:
To understand Stellite 12’s unique advantages, let’s compare it with other Stellite alloys like Stellite 6 and Stellite 1.
Stellite 6 is another popular cobalt-based alloy known for its excellent wear resistance and corrosion resistance. However, Stellite 12 has a higher carbon content than Stellite 6, which provides better wear resistance but slightly less toughness. Stellite 6 is ideal for applications needing a balance of wear resistance and toughness.
Stellite 1 has an even higher carbon content than Stellite 12, translating to superior wear resistance but reduced toughness. Stellite 1 is typically used in applications where maximum wear resistance is required, and the material can withstand less mechanical shock.
Stellite 12 has higher carbon content than Stellite 6, offering better wear resistance but slightly less toughness. Compared to Stellite 1, it provides a good balance of wear resistance and toughness, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Understanding the composition and comparison of Stellite 12 with other Stellite alloys allows for informed decisions in selecting the right material for specific industrial applications.
Stellite 12 is known for its diverse physical properties, making it ideal for high-performance applications across various industries. Its density is around 8.53 g/cm³ (0.308 lb/in³), contributing to its strength and durability. With a melting range of 1200°C to 1365°C (2192°F to 2489°F), Stellite 12 maintains its structural integrity and performance at high temperatures.
Stellite 12 is particularly valued for its hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation. Typically, Stellite 12 has a hardness of 40-51 HRC (Rockwell Hardness) or 435-590 HV (Vickers Hardness), thanks to the formation of durable carbides. Its high tensile and yield strengths allow it to withstand significant mechanical stress without deforming. While moderately ductile, Stellite 12 can absorb mechanical shocks effectively.
Stellite 12 is highly resistant to corrosion, especially in high-temperature oxidizing environments, due to its high chromium content. In seawater, Stellite 12 resists pitting and crevice corrosion, making it suitable for marine applications.
Stellite 12 performs well at temperatures above 1000°C, with optimal performance up to 700°C, essential for power generation and chemical processing.
Known for exceptional wear resistance, Stellite 12’s high carbide content protects against abrasive and adhesive wear.
Key properties include a density of 8.53 g/cm³, a melting range of 1200-1365°C, hardness of 40-51 HRC, optimal high-temperature performance up to 700°C, high wear resistance, and excellent corrosion resistance.
Stellite 12 is a popular choice for industrial knives due to its excellent wear resistance and ability to maintain a sharp edge in extreme conditions. These knives are essential in industries such as food processing, paper, and textiles, where they must cut through tough materials without losing performance.
Saw tips made from Stellite 12 are highly valued in the timber industry for their durability and resistance to abrasion and high temperatures. This ensures that saw blades remain effective for longer periods, reducing downtime and maintenance costs associated with frequent replacements.
In the beverage industry, Stellite 12 is used for control plates because of its outstanding corrosion and wear resistance. This is crucial for machinery exposed to acidic liquids, ensuring precision and durability over time.
Stellite 12 is also used in pump vanes and bearing bushes, where high wear resistance and toughness are essential. Additionally, it’s used in narrow-neck glass mold plungers, which need to withstand high temperatures and abrasive conditions without deforming.
Hardfacing engine valves with Stellite 12 extends their lifespan by providing superior wear and corrosion resistance, which is crucial for the automotive and aerospace industries. Pinch rollers in metal-processing also benefit from this alloy’s wear resistance, and it is used on turbine rotor blade edges for its high-temperature and erosion resistance.
Stellite 12 is known for its remarkable temperature stability, retaining its mechanical properties even at high temperatures. This alloy reliably performs at temperatures up to 700°C, and in certain applications, can withstand temperatures beyond 1000°C. This high-temperature stability makes Stellite 12 ideal for environments with significant thermal stress.
Stellite 12 stands out for its superior wear resistance, even at high temperatures, thanks to its high carbide content from elements like chromium and tungsten. This makes it ideal for applications with constant friction and wear, like cutting tools and industrial machinery.
Stellite 12 offers excellent corrosion resistance, particularly in high-temperature environments, due to its high chromium content forming a protective oxide layer. This makes it particularly useful in industries like power generation and chemical processing, where components face corrosive agents at high temperatures.
Stellite 12 typically has a hardness of 40 to 50 HRC on the Rockwell scale. With a hardness of 40 to 50 HRC on the Rockwell scale, Stellite 12 balances toughness to resist brittle fracture with exceptional wear resistance. The presence of carbon, chromium, and tungsten forms hard carbides, ensuring the alloy maintains its hardness and integrity under thermal stress.
Stellite 12 is widely used in various high-temperature applications due to its robust properties, including:
Stellite 12’s ability to maintain mechanical properties, resist wear and corrosion, and retain hardness at high temperatures makes it invaluable for demanding industrial applications. These properties ensure components made from Stellite 12 perform reliably, reduce maintenance needs, and enhance the efficiency and longevity of industrial equipment.
Stellite 12 and Stellite 6 are cobalt-based alloys with distinct compositions and properties, each suited for different applications.
Stellite 12 and Stellite 1 are both designed for high wear resistance, but Stellite 1 offers even higher wear resistance at the expense of toughness.
Stellite 12 comes in several forms to meet different industrial needs and manufacturing processes:
Stellite 12 adheres to multiple international standards, ensuring high quality and performance across various applications:
Stellite 12 is supplied by various reputable companies worldwide, available in different forms and specifications to meet industry needs:
Advanced processes ensure the high quality and performance of Stellite 12:
Stellite 12’s versatility and adherence to strict standards make it a reliable choice for numerous industrial applications, ensuring high performance and durability in demanding environments.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Stellite 12 is a cobalt-based alloy with the following chemical composition: Cobalt (Co) 50-60%, Chromium (Cr) 28-32%, Tungsten (W) 8-10%, Carbon (C) 1.8-2.4%, Nickel (Ni) less than 3%, Iron (Fe) less than 3%, and Silicon (Si) less than 2%. This specific composition imparts Stellite 12 with its distinctive properties, such as high wear resistance, excellent high-temperature performance, and superior corrosion resistance.
Stellite 12 is known for its impressive physical and mechanical properties. It has a density of 8.53 g/cm³ and a melting range between 1200-1365°C. Its thermal conductivity is approximately 14.6 W/m·K, and its electrical resistivity is 98 μ-ohm·cm. Mechanically, Stellite 12 exhibits a hardness ranging from 45-51 HRC and 435-590 HV. The tensile strength for castings is about 740 MPa, while HIP-consolidated forms can reach up to 1200 MPa. The yield strength (0.2% offset) for castings is 580 MPa, and for HIP-consolidated forms, it is 900 MPa. Elongation is less than 1% for castings and around 2% for HIP-consolidated forms. Additionally, the elastic modulus is approximately 226 GPa for castings and 208 GPa for HIP-consolidated forms. These properties make Stellite 12 an excellent choice for applications requiring high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and performance at elevated temperatures.
Stellite 12 is distinguished from other Stellite alloys primarily by its chemical composition and resulting properties. Compared to Stellite 6, Stellite 12 has a higher hardness and wear resistance due to its increased carbon and tungsten content, making it more suitable for applications involving severe abrasive and adhesive wear. It also maintains excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures up to 700°C, comparable to other Stellite alloys but slightly superior in certain high-temperature environments. Stellite 1, on the other hand, has higher resistance to low-angle erosion and severe sliding wear but may not balance hardness and toughness as effectively as Stellite 12. Overall, Stellite 12 offers a unique combination of wear resistance, high-temperature performance, and balanced hardness, making it ideal for demanding industrial applications such as cutting tools and hardfacing.
Stellite 12 is primarily used in applications requiring high wear, corrosion, and heat resistance. Typical uses include industrial knives for cutting materials such as carpets, plastics, paper, and synthetic fibers; saw tips in the timber industry; and control plates in the beverage industry. It is also utilized for pump vanes, bearing bushes, and narrow-neck glass mold plungers. In the oil and gas sector, Stellite 12 is used for hardfacing engine valves and other components exposed to abrasive and corrosive environments. Additionally, it finds applications in high-temperature settings like turbine blades and pinch rollers, as well as in marine environments for parts like propellers and pump shafts.
Stellite 12 is highly resistant to wear, corrosion, and high temperatures due to its specific chemical composition. The high content of chromium and tungsten forms hard carbides that significantly enhance its wear resistance, making it suitable for applications that experience heavy abrasion and adhesion. Its hardness ranges from 40-51 HRC, contributing to its durability in high-wear environments.
In terms of corrosion resistance, Stellite 12 performs exceptionally well, particularly in oxidizing environments. The chromium in the alloy forms a protective oxide layer that prevents extensive corrosion, making it effective in seawater and chloride solutions where it primarily corrodes by pitting rather than uniform mass loss.
Regarding high-temperature performance, Stellite 12 can maintain its mechanical properties even at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. This stability is due to the cobalt and chromium content, which ensures that the alloy retains its hardness and wear resistance at elevated temperatures. Consequently, Stellite 12 is ideal for use in high-temperature applications such as engine valves and turbine components.
Yes, Stellite 12 can be used in extreme environments. Its composition, primarily consisting of cobalt, chromium, and tungsten, provides exceptional wear resistance, high-temperature stability up to approximately 1000°C, and excellent corrosion resistance. These properties make Stellite 12 ideal for demanding applications such as industrial knives, saw tips, valves, pump vanes, and components in power generation and chemical processing industries. Its ability to maintain performance in harsh conditions, including high wear, high temperatures, and corrosive environments, underscores its suitability for extreme applications.