---
title: "Cobalt-Chrome Machining & Printing | CoCr Implant Parts | OpenSpindle"
description: "Get quotes for custom cobalt-chrome (CoCr) parts from independent shops. Machined and metal-3D-printed implants, wear surfaces, and high-temp components. Upload a drawing."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/materials/cobalt-chrome
---

# 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.

## Cobalt-chrome shops on OpenSpindle

Real shops set up to machine and metal-3D-print cobalt-chrome. See their equipment and get a competitive quote.

[Browse all cobalt-chrome shops](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?material=Cobalt%20Chrome%2CCoCr)

## 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

## Material Properties

Representative values for wrought CoCrMo implant alloy. Exact numbers vary by grade and process.

| Property | 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

- **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 That Run This Material

- [Metal 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/metal-3d-printing.md) -- Laser powder-bed CoCr for dental and complex implant geometry.
- [CNC Turning](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-turning.md) -- Turned wear and implant components from wrought bar.
- [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md) -- Milled frameworks, fixtures, and finishing of printed parts.
- [CNC Machining · 5-Axis](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/5-axis-machining.md) -- Complex implant and dental geometry in a single setup.
- [Precision Grinding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/precision-grinding.md) -- Ground and polished articulating surfaces to a fine finish.

## Finishes

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

- Medical devices
- Dental
- Aerospace & defense
- Turbomachinery
- Energy / oil & gas
- Industrial wear parts

Cobalt-chrome earns its cost where biocompatibility, wear, or high heat rule out cheaper metals.

## How It Compares

How cobalt-chrome compares to the other implant and high-performance metals shops quote.

### [Titanium](https://openspindle.com/materials/titanium.md)

- 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

**Verdict:** Choose cobalt-chrome for hard, wearing, articulating surfaces. Choose titanium for lighter, bone-integrating structural implants.

### [Stainless Steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/stainless-steel.md)

- 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

**Verdict:** Choose cobalt-chrome for permanent implants and demanding wear or heat. Choose stainless for instruments and lower-cost parts.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is cobalt-chrome used for?

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.

### Can cobalt-chrome be 3D printed?

Yes. Gas-atomized CoCr powder is printed by laser powder-bed fusion, which is standard for dental copings and bridges and for patient-specific or complex implant geometry. Printed parts are stress-relieved, support-removed, and then machined or polished on critical surfaces. Note which surfaces need finishing on your model.

### Is cobalt-chrome hard to machine?

Yes. CoCr is hard and work-hardens as it is cut, so it needs rigid setups, sharp tooling, low speeds, and patience, which makes machining slow and tooling-intensive. Many parts are produced near-net by casting or 3D printing and then finished only where needed to control cost.

### Cobalt-chrome vs titanium for implants?

They are complementary. Titanium is lighter and integrates with bone, so it is used for stems, screws, and plates. Cobalt-chrome is harder and far more wear-resistant, so it is used for articulating surfaces like joint bearings. A common implant pairs a CoCr articulating surface with a titanium structural component.

### What files should I send for a cobalt-chrome part?

A STEP or IGES model, or an STL for printed dental and implant geometry, plus a dimensioned PDF for machined features. Include the grade (for example ASTM F75 or F1537), articulating-surface finish, passivation and cleanliness requirements, and quantity. Expect longer lead times than steel or titanium.

## Related Materials

- [Titanium](https://openspindle.com/materials/titanium.md)
- [Stainless Steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/stainless-steel.md)
- [Inconel](https://openspindle.com/materials/inconel.md)
- [PEEK](https://openspindle.com/materials/peek.md)
- [Alloy Steel](https://openspindle.com/materials/alloy-steel.md)
- [Aluminum](https://openspindle.com/materials/aluminum.md)

## 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.