The Cobalt–Chromium–Iron–Nickel–Molybdenum–Manganese alloy (Co40/Cr20/Fe15/Ni15/Mo7/Mn2) represents a class of high-performance superalloys designed for exceptional mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. In wire form, this alloy is widely utilized in medical, aerospace, and industrial applications requiring durability under extreme conditions, such as surgical implants, spring systems, and high-stress mechanical assemblies.
Material Overview
This multi-component cobalt-based alloy combines the solid-solution strengthening of chromium and molybdenum with the ductility and corrosion resistance imparted by nickel and manganese. The alloy typically exhibits a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure, ensuring high toughness and fatigue resistance. Clerc et al. (1997) evaluated the ASTM F1058 wrought variant of Co–Cr–Ni–Mo–Fe alloys and found tensile strengths exceeding 1.9 GPa with a yield strength above 1.6 GPa, alongside superior fatigue endurance under cyclic loading. Furthermore, Marti (2000) described the inherent wear and corrosion resistance of cobalt-based alloys, attributing these properties to chromium oxide passivation and the formation of hard carbides that improve surface hardness. Modern Co–Cr–Fe–Ni–Mo alloys also benefit from low magnetic susceptibility, making them compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as confirmed by studies on Elgiloy and Phynox grades used in permanent surgical implants. Odaira et al. (2022) advanced this field by introducing body-centered cubic (BCC) cobalt–chromium alloys exhibiting superelasticity with recoverable strains up to 17% and elastic moduli (10–30 GPa) similar to human bone, highlighting emerging biomedical potential.
Applications and Advantages
Due to its outstanding combination of mechanical and chemical properties, Co–Cr–Fe–Ni–Mo–Mn wire is widely employed in high-stress medical and industrial environments. In medicine, it is used for cardiovascular stents, orthodontic wires, orthopedic fixation devices, and surgical implants where fatigue resistance and corrosion performance are vital. According to Singer and Över Özçelik (2023), the key performance priorities for Co–Cr alloys include biocompatibility, osseointegration, corrosion resistance, and fatigue endurance—properties this alloy excels in. In aerospace and industrial applications, the material serves in turbine components, valve springs, and energy systems exposed to high thermal and mechanical stresses. Its stability in chloride and oxidizing environments ensures long-term reliability, outperforming stainless steels and many nickel-based counterparts in aggressive operating conditions.
Goodfellow Availability
Goodfellow offers Cobalt–Chromium–Iron–Nickel–Molybdenum–Manganese alloy wires with high purity and precise dimensional control. These materials are available for biomedical research, structural reinforcement, and high-performance mechanical systems, with customizable specifications for specialized engineering applications.
Explore Cobalt/Chromium/Iron/Nickel/Molybdenum/Manganese Co40/Cr20/Fe15/Ni15/Mo7/Mn2 – Wire – Material Information and other advanced materials in Goodfellow’s online catalogue: Goodfellow product finder.
References
- Clerc, C. O., Jedwab, M. R., Mayer, D. W., Thompson, P. J., & Stinson, J. S. (1997). Assessment of wrought ASTM F1058 cobalt alloy properties for permanent surgical implants. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, 38(3), 229–243. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4636(199723)38:3<229::AID-JBM7>3.0.CO;2-R
- Marti, A. (2000). Cobalt-base alloys used in bone surgery. Injury – International Journal of the Care of the Injured, 31(Suppl 4), 18–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0020-1383(00)80018-2
- Odaira, T., Xu, S., Hirata, K., Xu, X. X., Omori, T., Ueki, K., et al. (2022). Flexible and tough superelastic Co–Cr alloys for biomedical applications. Advanced Materials, 34(28), 2202305. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202202305
- Singer, H., Över Özçelik, T. (2023). A risk-based decision-making framework to analyze the properties of cobalt–chromium alloys. Emerging Materials Research, 12(6), 755–768. https://doi.org/10.1680/jemmr.22.00220