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Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F75 · heat-treated state

Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F75 Stress Relieved

Properties of the Stress Relieved condition, compared with the other F75 tempers.

Standard post-print treatment for laser-melted CoCrMo: removes residual stress and prevents distortion while keeping most as-printed strength.

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What is F75 Stress Relieved?

F75 Stress Relieved is F75 heat treated to Stress Relieved — standard post-print treatment for laser-melted CoCrMo: removes residual stress and prevents distortion while keeping most as-printed strength. F75 Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 74% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). F75 Stress Relieved has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F). As Cast is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Stress Relieved is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 88/100, better than 84% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 15%, better than 75% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades

F75 Stress Relieved properties

Typical room-temperature values for F75 Stress Relieved — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every F75 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the cobalt-chrome alloy grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.

Physical3

F75 Stress Relieved has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F).

Density8.3 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,330°C2,426 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,410°C2,570 °F

Mechanical16

F75 Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 74% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus85 GPa12.3 Msi
Bulk Modulus183 GPa26.5 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,150 MPa167 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)820 MPa119 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area12%
Compressive Strength1,500 MPa218 ksi
Shear Strength500 MPa72.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)420 MPa60.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell300 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C37 HRC
Hardness, Vickers370 HV

Thermal6

F75 Stress Relieved is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 53% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity14 W/m·K8.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity450 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)13 µm/m·K7.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)600°C1,112 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

F75 Stress Relieved conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 54% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity9.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m35.8 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), better than 84% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.3 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent88/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in body fluids, saline, dilute acids and oxidizing media thanks to a Cr–Mo passive film; Mo gives good pitting/crevice resistance. Attacked by hot concentrated HCl/HF and strong reducing acids; cobalt ion release is the main biological concern in wear couples.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of F75 Stress Relieved takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — less than 60% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)150 MJ/kg64,488 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)11 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

F75 Stress Relieved's machinability is not recommended (11/100, better than 59% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended11/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)10%
WeldabilityPoor25/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended10/100
CastabilityVery good78/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityExcellent88/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — cobalt alloys are not anodized; use electropolishing, passivation or PVD/DLC coating

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Other F75 tempers and conditions

F75 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the F75 overview.

Working with F75 Stress Relieved

Is F75 easy to machine?

Rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide or ceramic tools, low speed (15–30 m/min carbide) with heavy constant feed and flood coolant — never dwell, the alloy work-hardens instantly; grinding and EDM are common for finished implant geometry.

Can F75 be welded?

Cast high-carbon F75 is prone to hot cracking; use low-heat GTAW/laser/electron-beam with matching Co-Cr filler, preheat and post-weld solution treatment, or design to avoid welding altogether.

Can F75 be formed, bent or molded?

Not cold formable — parts are investment cast, laser powder-bed printed or milled from HIPed blanks; AM builds need supports, 750–1150 °C stress relief and optional HIP.

What surface finishes work on F75?

Sand/blast, then belt and diamond/alumina polish to a mirror bearing surface (Ra ≤ 0.02 µm); passivate or electropolish for biocompatibility; DLC/TiN PVD used for extra wear life. No anodizing.

F75 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Crpassive film former27 – 3028.5
Mosolid-solution strengthening, pitting resistance5 – 76
Niimpurity limit (allergy control)≤ 0.50.2
Fe≤ 0.750.3
Clow-carbon AM powders typically ≤0.16≤ 0.350.25
Si≤ 10.6
Mn≤ 10.6
W≤ 0.2
N≤ 0.25
Al≤ 0.1
Ti≤ 0.1
B≤ 0.01
P≤ 0.02
S≤ 0.01
Cobalance, ≈62–65 %balance

F75 Stress Relieved — frequently asked

What is F75 Stress Relieved used for?

F75 Stress Relieved is typically used for hip femoral heads and stems, knee femoral components, dental crowns and bridges, partial denture frameworks, spinal implant components and wear-resistant bearing surfaces. In short: medical implant cobalt.

What is the yield strength of F75 Stress Relieved?

F75 Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,150 MPa (167 ksi) — stronger than 74% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is F75 Stress Relieved easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (11/100, better than 59% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades). Rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide or ceramic tools, low speed (15–30 m/min carbide) with heavy constant feed and flood coolant — never dwell, the alloy work-hardens instantly; grinding and EDM are common for finished implant geometry.

Can F75 Stress Relieved be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Cast high-carbon F75 is prone to hot cracking; use low-heat GTAW/laser/electron-beam with matching Co-Cr filler, preheat and post-weld solution treatment, or design to avoid welding altogether.

What surface finishes work on F75 Stress Relieved?

Sand/blast, then belt and diamond/alumina polish to a mirror bearing surface (Ra ≤ 0.02 µm); passivate or electropolish for biocompatibility; DLC/TiN PVD used for extra wear life. No anodizing.

Can F75 Stress Relieved be formed, bent or molded?

Not cold formable — parts are investment cast, laser powder-bed printed or milled from HIPed blanks; AM builds need supports, 750–1150 °C stress relief and optional HIP.

What is the maximum service temperature of F75 Stress Relieved?

F75 Stress Relieved is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between F75 As Cast and F75-HIP?

As Cast is the default condition — default condition for investment-cast implant and dental components; meets ASTM F75 minimums with coarse dendritic structure and interdendritic carbides. HIP: pick for load-bearing implants and critical AM parts: closes porosity and lack-of-fusion defects, giving the best ductility, toughness and fatigue life. Yield strength is 510 MPa in As Cast versus 650 MPa in HIP.

Can FabDigit make parts in F75 Stress Relieved?

Yes — F75 Stress Relieved is available for CNC machining and 3D printing with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. ASTM F75 — Standard Specification for Cobalt-28 Chromium-6 Molybdenum Alloy Castings and Casting Alloy for Surgical ImplantsASTM International (2018)
  2. ASTM F3301 — Additive Manufacturing, Post Processing Methods, Standard Specification for Thermal Post-Processing Metal PartsASTM International (2018)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Cobalt-Base Alloys)ASM International (1990)
  4. EOS CobaltChrome MP1 Material Data SheetEOS GmbH (2022)
  5. Sandvik Osprey CoCrMo (ASTM F75) AM Powder DatasheetSandvik (2022)
  6. Biomaterials property compilations for Co-Cr-Mo implant alloysSpringer / Elsevier reviews (2019)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.