| Category | Item / Element | Specification / Content (wt.%) | Notes / Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Information | Typical Applications | Suitable for dental and orthopedic medical markets | – |
| Applicable Processes | SLM, EBM | – | |
| Chemical Composition | Co (Cobalt) | Bal. (Balance) | – |
| C (Carbon) | ≤0.35 | – | |
| Cr (Chromium) | 27.0-30.0 | – | |
| Mo (Molybdenum) | 5.0-7.0 | – | |
| Si (Silicon) | ≤1 | – | |
| Mn (Manganese) | ≤0.3 | – | |
| Fe (Iron) | <0.75 | – | |
| O (Oxygen) | <0.08 | – | |
| N (Nitrogen) | <0.15 | – | |
| H (Hydrogen) | <0.1 | – | |
| Physical Properties | Particle Size (D10) | ≥12 | μm |
| Particle Size (D50) | 25-40 | μm | |
| Particle Size (D90) | ≤65 | μm | |
| Sphericity | ≥0.85 | – | |
| Apparent Density | ≥4.4 | g/cm³ | |
| Tap Density | ≥5 | g/cm³ | |
| Flowability | ≤25 | s/50g |
1. Advantages and Features of This CoCr Alloy Powder
Based on its technical specifications, CoCr02 (CoCrMo) CoCr Alloy Powder offers distinct advantages for SLM applications, summarized as follows:
1.1 Optimized for Medical & Dental Applications
- Biocompatibility Focus: Engineered specifically for the dental and orthopedic medical markets, meeting stringent safety and performance requirements for implantable and intraoral devices.
- Proven Clinical Track Record: The classic CoCrMo composition has a long history of successful use in load-bearing orthopedic implants like hip and knee joints, demonstrating excellent long-term biocompatibility and reliability.
1.2 Excellent SLM Processability
- High Flowability & Density: With a flowability of ≤25 s/50g, apparent density ≥4.4 g/cm³, and tap density ≥5.0 g/cm³, the powder ensures even spreading during the SLM process, minimizing porosity and resulting in high-density, defect-free printed parts.
- Controlled Particle Size Distribution: The D50 range of 25–40 μm (with D10 ≥12 μm and D90 ≤65 μm) is ideal for achieving fine-feature resolution in SLM, enabling the production of complex geometries such as porous bone ingrowth structures and intricate dental frameworks.
- High Sphericity (≥0.85): Ensures consistent powder bed packing and stable melt pool dynamics, which is critical for achieving repeatable mechanical properties in additively manufactured parts.
1.3 Robust Mechanical Performance
- High Strength & Wear Resistance: The synergistic effect of Cr and Mo provides high strength and exceptional wear resistance, crucial for articulating surfaces in joint replacements and long-lasting dental prosthetics.
- Good Fatigue Resistance: The material exhibits good fatigue strength, essential for components subjected to cyclic physiological loads over their service life.
1.4 Stable Physical Properties
- Consistent Elastic Modulus: A Young’s modulus of approximately 220-230 GPa provides the necessary stiffness for structural support in orthopedic applications.
1.5 High Purity & Compositional Control
- Low Interstitial Impurities: Strict limits on oxygen (<0.08%), nitrogen (<0.15%), and hydrogen (<0.1%) minimize oxide inclusions and gas porosity in printed parts, enhancing fatigue resistance and biocompatibility.
- Balanced Alloying Elements: The precise Cr (27.0–30.0%) and Mo (5.0–7.0%) content ensures optimal corrosion resistance in physiological environments and stabilizes the microstructure during SLM processing.
In summary, CoCr02 (CoCrMo) powder is a medical-grade, SLM-optimized alloy that combines reliable processability (flowability, particle size), robust mechanical performance (strength, wear resistance), and proven biocompatibility. It is specifically tailored for demanding additive manufacturing applications in the dental and orthopedic sectors, where precision, safety, and long-term functionality are paramount.
2. CoCr02 (CoCrMo) CoCr Alloy Powder Material Overview
CoCr02 (CoCrMo) CoCr Alloy Powder is a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy powder specifically designed for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) additive manufacturing processes. Classified as a biocompatible medical-grade metal, this material adheres to international standards for dental and orthopedic implants. Through precise compositional control and advanced powder preparation techniques, it ensures that printed components meet rigorous clinical requirements for mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, serving as a foundational material for personalized orthopedic implant and dental device manufacturing.
2.1 Chemical Composition Characteristics
The alloy uses cobalt as the base (balance), with chromium content controlled at 27.0–30.0 wt.% to form a dense, passive chromium oxide film, providing excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Molybdenum (5.0–7.0 wt.%) contributes to solid solution strengthening, significantly enhancing material strength, hardness, and wear resistance. Carbon is limited to ≤0.35 wt.% to control carbide formation for optimal properties, while silicon (≤1.0 wt.%) and manganese (≤0.3 wt.%) are kept low to avoid detrimental effects. Impurity elements are strictly controlled: iron <0.75%, and interstitial elements oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen are kept below 0.08%, 0.15%, and 0.1% respectively, ensuring the density and biological safety of printed parts.
2.2 Powder Characteristics
CoCr02 powder features a highly spherical morphology (sphericity ≥0.85) with a particle size distribution optimized for SLM processing: D10 ≥12 μm, D50 = 25–40 μm, and D90 ≤65 μm, ensuring uniform powder spreading and fine feature resolution. It exhibits an apparent density of ≥4.4 g/cm³, tap density of ≥5.0 g/cm³, and flowability of ≤25 s/50g, demonstrating superior flow and packing behavior that effectively reduces defects during spreading, laying the physical foundation for high-density, high-quality printed components.
3. Technical Advantages
The core advantage of CoCr02 powder lies in its proven “process-performance-application” integration for medical devices. Its optimized particle characteristics guarantee process stability in SLM. The classic CoCrMo chemistry delivers high strength, exceptional wear and corrosion resistance, and outstanding biocompatibility, making it a gold-standard material for permanent implants. Its high hardness and stiffness are particularly advantageous for orthopedic bearing surfaces and structural components that must withstand significant mechanical stress over decades in the human body, fully complying with medical device standards such as ASTM F75/F1537.
4. SLM Process Parameter Recommendations
For SLM fabrication using CoCr02 powder, a recommended processing window includes laser power of 200–350 W, scanning speed of 800–1400 mm/s, layer thickness of 30–50 μm, and hatch spacing of 80–120 μm. Substrate preheating to 100–200°C is often used to reduce residual stress. High-purity argon or nitrogen protection must be maintained throughout the process, keeping chamber oxygen levels below 100 ppm. A stripe or chessboard scanning strategy with interlayer rotation is advised to homogenize heat accumulation. Post-printing stress relief annealing is typically required.
5. Post-Processing Procedures
Post-processing of CoCr02 printed parts begins with stress relief annealing at 800–1000°C under vacuum or inert atmosphere to eliminate residual stresses. For critical load-bearing or fatigue-sensitive orthopedic implants, Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) is highly recommended to close any internal micropores and maximize fatigue life. Subsequent surface treatments include machining, grinding, and polishing to achieve the final dimensions and smooth surface finish required for medical applications. Throughout the process, atmospheric purity must be controlled to prevent surface oxidation.
6. Performance Specifications
In the as-built or heat-treated condition, CoCr02 alloy demonstrates high tensile strength (≥1000 MPa), yield strength (≥600 MPa), good elongation (≥10%), a high Young’s modulus (~220-230 GPa), and Vickers hardness (≥350 HV). Its exceptional corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid and proven biocompatibility ensure long-term reliability and functionality in complex physiological environments, meeting relevant international standards for medical implants.
7. Application Areas
CoCr02 powder is primarily applied in orthopedics for the direct SLM fabrication of customized, load-bearing implants such as acetabular cups, femoral heads, knee femoral components, and spinal fusion devices. It is also used in dentistry for high-strength frameworks for partial dentures and other non-aesthetic, high-wear applications. Leveraging its excellent wear resistance, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility, it is a key material in the additive manufacturing of high-end, long-life medical devices.
8. Comparison with Similar Powders
Compared to the tungsten-containing CoCr01, CoCr02 (CoCrMo) offers a more traditional and widely accepted composition for orthopedic applications, with slightly lower hardness but potentially better ductility. Versus Ti6Al4V titanium alloy, CoCr02 offers significantly higher hardness, wear resistance, and compressive strength, making it the preferred choice for articulating joint surfaces, though its higher elastic modulus can lead to stress shielding. Compared to nickel-chromium alloys, CoCr02 contains no sensitizing nickel, offering superior biological safety and better corrosion resistance in chloride-rich environments like the human body.
9. Precautions
CoCr02 powder contains cobalt and chromium, which are potential sensitizers; full personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn during handling, and operations should be conducted within closed systems—open exposure is strictly prohibited. Powder must be stored in a dry, inert environment. Before reuse, sieving and testing for property changes are mandatory. Waste powder must be disposed of as hazardous waste per regulations. Mixing powders from different batches is strictly forbidden.
10. Summary
CoCr02 (CoCrMo) CoCr Alloy Powder is a high-performance, medical-grade cobalt-based alloy powder optimized for SLM/EBM additive manufacturing. Its classic, well-understood chemistry, excellent powder characteristics, and reliable process adaptability give it a leading position in orthopedic implant applications. This material delivers a powerful combination of high strength, exceptional wear and corrosion resistance, and proven long-term biocompatibility, making it an indispensable material for manufacturing permanent, load-bearing medical devices that demand the highest levels of safety and performance.
Our premium CoCr02 powder, also known as CoCrMo alloy powder or cobalt chromium molybdenum powder, is a high-performance medical grade metal powder specifically engineered for additive manufacturing applications. This biocompatible alloy serves as an exceptional orthopedic implant material and dental implant powder, offering superior mechanical properties for critical medical components. Optimized for both SLM powder bed fusion and EBM powder processes, our high strength CoCr formulation delivers outstanding durability and precision. The powder composition aligns with ASTM F75 chemical requirements, ensuring consistent quality and reliability. As a wear resistant alloy powder, it provides excellent corrosion resistance and longevity, making it the ideal choice for demanding biomedical applications where performance and patient safety are paramount.
11. Customization Services by Forgecise
Forgecise delivers comprehensive dental CoCr alloy powder customization solutions, spanning the complete spectrum from standard biocompatible formulations to customer-specific high-performance cobalt-chromium alloys. We support mainstream dental alloy grades including CoCr01 (CoCrMoW), CoCrMo, and low-carbon variants, with the capability to precisely tailor chemical composition, particle size distribution, sphericity, oxygen/nitrogen content, and thermal expansion coefficient to match your exact clinical and manufacturing requirements. Our dental CoCr alloy powders are optimized for demanding additive manufacturing processes including SLM, EBM, ensuring consistent printability, high density, superior mechanical properties, and reliable metal-ceramic bonding performance in your final dental restorations and orthopedic components.
