Special Characteristics
The Arcam ASTM F75 CoCr alloy is also suitable for Rapid Manufacturing of production tools for injection moulding of plastic parts. The high hardness of the material and the excellent material qualities allow polishing components to optical or mirror-like finishes, and ensures long tool life.

Tools can be built with complex geometries, and the conformal cooling channels further enhance the tool's life and increase productivity, part and surface quality.

Applications
CoCr is typically used for:

• Gas turbines

• Orthopaedic implants

• Dental implants

Powder specification
The Arcam ASTM F75 CoCr alloy powder for EBM is produced by gas atomization and the chemical composition complies with the ASTM F75 standard's specification. The particle size is 45-100 microns. This limitation of the minimum particle size ensures safe handling of the powder.

General Characteristics
Cobalt-based alloys have been used in demanding applications for as long as investment casting has been available as an industrial process. Arcam's Electron Beam Melting technology competes directly with investment casting and is a viable choice for manufacturing complex parts in cobalt-based alloys.

The majority of investment castings made from the cobalt super alloys are cast in an open atmosphere. With Arcam's Electron Beam Melting process the vacuum atmosphere pro- vides a controlled environment and enables superior material properties in the manufactured parts.

CoCrMo alloys are widely used for medical prosthetic implant devices. The alloys are especially used where high stiffness or a highly polished and extremely wear-resistant material is required. CoCrMo alloys are the materials of choice for appli- cations such as knee implants, metal-to-metal hip joints and dental prosthetics.

Cobalt alloys also play an important role in the performance of aero- and land-based gas turbines. While vacuum cast nickel alloys predominate in the hot sections of modern aero turbine engines, cobalt alloys are routinely specified for particularly demanding applications such as fuel nozzles and vanes for indus- trial gas turbines.

Arcam ASTM F75 is a non-magnetic CoCrMo alloy exhibiting high strength, corrosion resistance, and excellent wear resistance. It is widely used for orthopaedic and dental implants. Highly polished compo- nents include femoral stems for replacement hips and knee condyles.

Other cobalt medical implants include acetabular cups and tibial trays. In all cases, but especially in hip components, material quality is imperative as parts are heavily loaded and subject to fatigue.