Cobalt-Chromium alloy

Chromium enhance the corrosion behavior

Properties:
 Co-Cr alloys show high resistance to corrosion due to the
spontaneous formation of a protective passive film composed
of mostly Cr2O3, and minor amounts of cobalt and other metal
oxides on the surface
 Co-Cr alloys are well known for their
biocompatibility. Biocompatibility also depends on the film
and how this oxidized surface interacts with physiological
environment. It has wide application in biomedical industry.
 Good mechanical properties that are similar to stainless
steel are a result of a multiphase structure and precipitation
of carbides, which increase the hardness of Co-Cr alloys
tremendously.

 Co-Cr alloy has been used in various fields where high

wear-resistance was needed .

 High melting points

 Incredible strength at high temperatures

Mechanical properties
Yield strength-880Mpa

Ultimate Tensile strength-1300 Mpa

Hardness:40-45 HRC

%ge of elongation-11%
Uses :
 This alloy was first used in medical tool manufacturing
 Co-Cr prosthetic heart valve was implanted
 Co-Cr alloy has been used in various fields where high
wear-resistance was needed
 Co-Cr alloy is used for the manufacture of many
artificial joints including hips and knees, dental partial
bridge work, and many others.
Synthesis:
• The common Co-Cr alloy production requires
the extraction of cobalt and chromium from cobalt
oxide and chromium oxide ores.
• Both of the ores need to go through reduction
process to obtain pure metals.
• Chromium usually goes through aluminothermic
reduction technique, and pure cobalt can be
achieved through many different ways depending on
the characteristics of the specific ore.
• Pure metals are then fused together under vacuum
either by electric arc or by induction melting. Due
to the chemical reactivity of metals at high
temperature, the process requires vacuum
conditions or inert atmosphere to prevent oxygen
uptake by the metal.
• However, synthesis of .Co-Cr alloy through the
method mentioned above is very expensive and
difficult.

• ASTM F75, a Co-Cr-Mo alloy, is produced in an

inert argon atmosphere by ejecting molten metals
through a small nozzle that is immediately cooled
produce fine powder of the alloy
Types Co-Cr alloy :
There are several Co-Cr alloys that are commonly
produced and used in various fields.

 F75 and F799 are Co-Cr-Mo alloys with very similar

composition yet slightly different production processes

 F90 is a Co-Cr-W-Ni alloy

 F562 is a Co-Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti alloy

Structure:
• Depending on the percent composition of cobalt or
chromium and the temperature, Co-Cr alloys show
different structures.
• The σ phase, where the alloy contains approximately
60-75% cobalt, tends to be brittle and subject to
a fracture.
• FCC crystal structure is found in the γ phase, and the
γ phase shows improved strength and ductility
compared to the σ phase.
• The γ phase Co-Cr alloy can be converted into the ε
phase at high pressures, which shows a HCP crystal
structure
• FCC crystal structure is commonly found in cobalt
rich alloys, while chromium rich alloys tend to have
BCC crystal structure.
Disadvantages
• Metals released from Co-Cr alloy tools and
prosthetics may cause allergic reactions and
skin eczema.
• Prosthetics or any medical equipment with high nickel
mass percentage Co-Cr alloy should be avoided due to
low biocompatibility, as nickel is the most common
metal sensitizer in the human body.
summery