Metal · Material guide
Custom cobalt-chrome parts from independent shops
Cobalt-chrome (CoCr) is a hard, biocompatible superalloy that keeps a wear- and corrosion-resistant edge in the body and at high temperature. Upload a drawing and hear back from shops set up to machine or metal-3D-print CoCr.
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Grades
Cobalt-chrome grades shops run most
CoCr alloys split by application: implantable grades for medical, and wear or high-temperature grades for industrial parts.
ASTM F75 (cast CoCrMo)
The classic cast cobalt-chrome-molybdenum implant alloy. Hard, wear-resistant, and biocompatible, used for joint replacements and dental frameworks.
Best for Orthopedic implants, dental frameworks
ASTM F1537 (wrought CoCrMo)
A wrought version of the implant alloy with finer, more uniform structure and higher fatigue strength for load-bearing implants.
Best for Load-bearing and articulating implants
CoCr for metal 3D printing
Gas-atomized CoCr powder for laser powder-bed fusion, used for dental copings, bridges, and complex implant geometry printed near-net then finished.
Best for Dental, patient-specific and complex implants
Stellite (wear grades)
Cobalt-based alloys with added carbon and tungsten for extreme hardness and wear resistance, used for valve seats, cutting edges, and hardfacing.
Best for Valve seats, wear surfaces, hardfacing
Specs
Material properties
Representative values for wrought CoCrMo implant alloy. Exact numbers vary by grade and process.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | ~8.3 g/cm³ (0.30 lb/in³) |
| Tensile strength (wrought) | ~145 ksi (1000 MPa) |
| Hardness | ~35-45 HRC, higher in wear grades |
| Max service temp | Retains strength to ~600 °C (1100 °F) |
| Machinability | Difficult; work-hardens, needs rigid setups and low speeds |
| Biocompatibility | Excellent; standard implant alloy |
| Wear resistance | Very high; classic bearing and articulating surface |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent, including in body fluids |
CoCr is hard and work-hardens, so it is slow to machine and often produced near-net by casting or metal 3D printing, then finished.
Stock
Forms we machine it from
Round bar
Turned implant and wear components from wrought stock.
Plate & block
Milled frameworks, fixtures, and wear plates.
Powder (additive)
Gas-atomized CoCr for laser powder-bed 3D printing.
Processes
Manufacturing methods for cobalt-chrome
The right process depends on part geometry, tolerances, and production volume.
Finishing
Finishes for cobalt-chrome
CoCr resists corrosion on its own, so finishing focuses on surface quality, cleanliness, and articulating surfaces.
Mirror polish
Articulating implant and bearing surfaces are polished to a mirror finish for low wear against the mating part.
Passivation
A cleaning treatment that removes surface contamination and restores the passive oxide layer for implant service.
Bead blast
A uniform matte texture, sometimes specified on non-articulating implant surfaces for bone ingrowth or bonding.
As-machined / as-printed
Non-critical surfaces ship as-machined; printed parts are stress-relieved and support-removed before finishing.
For implants and wear parts, call out the articulating-surface finish (Ra), passivation, and any cleanliness or validation requirement.
Applications
Where cobalt-chrome parts are used
Cobalt-chrome earns its cost where biocompatibility, wear, or high heat rule out cheaper metals.
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Cobalt-Chrome vs other materials
How cobalt-chrome compares to the other implant and high-performance metals shops quote.
Cobalt-Chrome vs Titanium
Titanium →- Titanium is lighter and better for bone-integrating implants like stems and screws
- Cobalt-chrome is harder and far more wear-resistant, the choice for articulating joint surfaces
- Both are biocompatible; the pairing (CoCr on a titanium stem) is common in implants
Choose cobalt-chrome for hard, wearing, articulating surfaces. Choose titanium for lighter, bone-integrating structural implants.
Cobalt-Chrome vs Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel →- Medical stainless (316L) is cheaper and easier to machine for instruments and temporary implants
- Cobalt-chrome is harder, more wear-resistant, and better for permanent load-bearing implants
- CoCr holds strength at higher temperature for industrial wear and turbine parts
Choose cobalt-chrome for permanent implants and demanding wear or heat. Choose stainless for instruments and lower-cost parts.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Cobalt-chrome (CoCr) is a hard, biocompatible, wear- and corrosion-resistant superalloy used for orthopedic and dental implants, articulating joint surfaces, and industrial wear and high-temperature parts such as valve seats and turbine components. It is chosen where hardness, wear, biocompatibility, or heat rule out cheaper metals.
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Get cobalt-chrome part quotes
Upload a drawing once and compare quotes from independent shops set up to machine and metal-3D-print cobalt-chrome.
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