Cobalt alloys

What is cobalt?

Cobalt is a metal, identified as Co in the periodic table. It has a number of unique properties, including high strength, high corrosion resistance and it is magnetic too. It has been used for centuries as a paint pigment in art and ceramics, hence the name cobalt blue. As science and technology has developed, it has also been used to create ultra-strong magnets, diamond cutting tools and even in the treatment of cancer.

What are cobalt alloys?

A cobalt alloy is an alloy metal made with cobalt as its base metal. That means cobalt makes up the largest part of its composition. It is combined with one or more other alloying elements to achieve certain desired properties, like higher strength or heat resistance.

What alloys are made with cobalt?

Alloy 188 is a cobalt alloy, available here at NeoNickel. It is composed of 31% cobalt, 24% nickel and chromium, 16% tungsten, small amounts of iron and manganese, plus trace amounts of other elements. It is available as round bar, plate, sheet or wire. Check out the product page for a full breakdown of its composition and description of its properties.

Alloy L605/25 is another cobalt alloy available at NeoNickel. It is made up of 54% cobalt, 21% chromium, 16% tungsten, 11% nickel, small amounts of iron and manganese, plus trace amounts of other elements. It is available as round bar, plate, sheet or wire. Visit the product page to see its full chemical composition and description of properties.

What are the properties of cobalt alloys?

The properties of each cobalt alloy will vary according to its unique chemical composition. However, on the whole, cobalt alloys can be characterised by high levels of wear and corrosion resistance, and high strength even at elevated temperatures.

Alloy 188 has high temperature strength and oxidation resistance up to 1093°C. It maintains ductility even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Due to this, it is often used in the aerospace industry for gas turbine engines and afterburner liners.

Alloy L605/25 has a different composition, which means it has good sulphidation resistance, as well as high temperature strength and oxidation resistance up to 982°C. It is also commonly used in furnace components, as well as aerospace applications like gas turbine engines and flame holders.

What are the advantages of cobalt alloys?

One advantage of using a cobalt alloy is its high strength. Cobalt in itself is an incredibly strong metal, so cobalt alloys are stronger than other alloys. It is often used in high-strength applications which other alloys could not withstand.

Cobalt alloys also demonstrate high corrosion and wear resistance. This longevity and durability means businesses will have to replace it less frequently, saving money and resources in the long run.

Cobalt alloys are also easily machinable, which is why we produce them in various product forms, including round bar, sheet, plate and welded wire. Businesses can also further machine and work them themselves to suit their particular needs.

Why choose NeoNickel cobalt alloys?

NeoNickel are trusted cobalt alloy suppliers to businesses across Europe. We have offices and manufacturing sites in various European cities, from Milton Keynes to Milan. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service to all our clients, with a diverse and qualified workforce that speaks a total of 8 different languages.

We have attained quality approvals from industry leaders like Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Safran. Our sites are also subject to regular quality and compliance checks. Staff are encouraged to undertake personal training in everything from product compliance to the latest machining techniques. This is how we ensure we provide the best service.

Take a look at our alloys

Browse our collection of alloys on the NeoNickel website, including cobalt alloys. Every alloy has its own data sheet available to download at the bottom of the page. This will tell you all the important information about this alloy, including its composition, properties and various applications.

If you need any help finding a specific alloy, want to know more or want to place an order, contact your nearest NeoNickel office or email [email protected].