Abstract

Cobalt is a metallic element the earliest uses of which were as colorants for glass and pottery. Cobalt has unique magnetic properties. The largest consumption of cobalt is in the metallic form as magnetic alloys, cutting and wear-resistant alloys, and high temperature superalloys. The second largest use of cobalt is in the form of salts, including lacquers, enamels, colorants for glass, and catalysts. Radioactive cobalt has considerable application in radiochemistry and radiography.

Cobalt-base alloys are generally described as wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and heat-resistant. Many of the properties of the alloys arise from the crystallographic nature of cobalt, the solid solution strengthening effects of chromium, tungsten, and molybdenum, the formation of carbides, and the corrosion resistance imparted by chromium.