Cobalt–Chromium (Co86/Cr14) alloy powder is a high-performance material celebrated for its remarkable wear resistance, mechanical strength, and corrosion protection at elevated temperatures. This combination of properties makes it an ideal candidate for demanding applications such as biomedical implants, turbine components, and industrial coatings where long-term stability and biocompatibility are essential.
Material Overview
The Co–Cr system forms solid solutions with both face-centered cubic (FCC) and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) phases, giving rise to superior toughness and high-temperature strength. Chromium, present at 14 wt%, enhances oxidation and corrosion resistance through the formation of a stable Cr2O3 passivation layer. According to Glagoleva et al. (2009), the electrical resistivity and thermal diffusivity of Co–Cr alloys exhibit strong temperature dependence between 300 K and 1700 K, confirming their excellent thermodynamic stability for high-temperature service. Balagna et al. (2012) demonstrated that thermally treated Co–Cr–Mo alloys retain high wear resistance and structural integrity even after exposure to 970 °C, with microstructural transitions between cubic and hexagonal phases minimally affecting performance. Modern additive manufacturing techniques such as selective laser melting (SLM) further optimize the microstructure of Co–Cr powders. Saprykin et al. (2021) reported that CoCrMo powders processed via SLM achieve porosity below 15%, fine grain structures, and outstanding corrosion protection, making them ideal for precision biomedical and high-temperature components. Dos Santos et al. (2022) emphasized the importance of ion release resistance and surface passivity in cobalt–chromium alloys, ensuring their compatibility with biological environments such as joint replacements and dental prosthetics.
Applications and Advantages
Co–Cr alloys are employed across diverse fields, from aerospace to healthcare. In biomedical engineering, the alloy powder is used in the production of dental prosthetics, hip and knee implants, and stents due to its superior biocompatibility and resistance to body fluid corrosion. In high-temperature environments, such as gas turbines and heat exchangers, Co–Cr coatings provide wear protection and oxidation resistance beyond 1000 °C. The powder form allows for advanced fabrication through additive manufacturing, enabling customized geometries with enhanced surface quality. Furthermore, its wear resistance under cyclic loading makes it suitable for bearing surfaces and industrial tooling where longevity and dimensional accuracy are critical.
Goodfellow Availability
Goodfellow offers high-purity Cobalt–Chromium (Co86/Cr14) alloy powder for research, additive manufacturing, and industrial applications. Particle size distributions, composition tolerances, and surface treatments can be customized to meet specific customer and engineering needs.
Explore Cobalt/Chromium Co86/Cr14 – Powder – Material Information and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.
References
- Balagna, C., Spriano, S. M., & Faga, M. G. (2012). Characterization of Co–Cr–Mo alloys after a thermal treatment for high wear resistance. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 32(7), 1863–1870. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MSEC.2012.05.003
- Dos Santos, E. F. C., Bezerra, R. D. S., & Araujo, W. L. S. (2022). Cobalt and chrome alloys used in biomedical applications. Revista Virtual de Química, 14(1), 60–73. https://doi.org/10.21577/1984-6835.20220060
- Glagoleva, Y. V., Polev, V. F., Gorbatov, V. I., Ivliev, A. D., Kurichenko, A. A., Taluts, S. G., & Korshunov, I. G. (2009). Thermal and kinetic properties of cobalt-chromium alloys at high temperatures. Physics of Metals and Metallography, 107(3), 249–257. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0031918X09030065