Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F75
ASTM F75 · UNS R30075 · ISO 5832-4
F75 is the cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum implant alloy covered by ASTM F75/F1537 (UNS R30075, historically Vitallium), available as investment castings, HIPed bar and laser powder-bed printed parts.
Values for the As Cast condition
F75 tempers and conditions
F75 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. As Cast is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As CastDefault investment cast, as-solidified (ASTM F75 baseline) | Default condition for investment-cast implant and dental components; meets ASTM F75 minimums with coarse dendritic structure and interdendritic carbides. | 510 | 720 | 10 | 30 HRC | — |
1200–1230 °C solution treat and rapid cool | Choose when carbide dissolution and higher ductility/uniformity are needed before final machining or forming of cast or AM parts. | 520 | 760 | 16 | 28 HRC | — |
Heat Treated | Investment-cast Co-28Cr-6Mo (R30075) given a post-cast homogenizing/solution heat treatment that dissolves interdendritic carbides and raises ductility over the as-cast state while keeping the coarse cast grain structure. | 560 | 900 | 14 | 31 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Pick for load-bearing implants and critical AM parts: closes porosity and lack-of-fusion defects, giving the best ductility, toughness and fatigue life. | 650 | 1,000 | 20 | 32 HRC | — |
750–1150 °C stress relief (typical for SLM parts on plate) | Standard post-print treatment for laser-melted CoCrMo: removes residual stress and prevents distortion while keeping most as-printed strength. | 820 | 1,150 | 15 | 37 HRC | — |
Pressure Sintered (Hot Pressed) | Powder-metallurgy Co-28Cr-6Mo consolidated by uniaxial hot pressing / pressure-assisted sintering to near-full density, giving a fine equiaxed grain structure with markedly higher strength and ductility than the cast alloy. | 840 | 1,250 | 22 | 36 HRC | 1.9 % IACS |
SLM/DMLS as-built (EOS MP1-type parameters) | As-built laser powder-bed condition: very fine cellular structure gives the highest strength and hardness of any F75 form, but with residual stress and anisotropy. | 900 | 1,250 | 12 | 40 HRC | — |
What is F75?
F75 is the cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum implant alloy covered by ASTM F75/F1537 (UNS R30075, historically Vitallium), available as investment castings, HIPed bar and laser powder-bed printed parts. Engineers specify it for joint replacements and dental work because it combines 720 MPa tensile strength, 510 MPa yield, 300 HB hardness, a 220 GPa modulus and high corrosion resistance in body fluids. Elongation is limited to about 10 %, machinability is poor (score 12) and service is capped near 600 °C. Wrought F90/L605 is the alternative when higher ductility and formability are needed. F75 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F). F75 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — weaker than 58% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
What is F75 used for?
- Hip femoral heads and stems
- Knee femoral components
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Partial denture frameworks
- Spinal implant components
- Wear-resistant bearing surfaces
- Surgical instrument tips
F75 properties
Typical room-temperature values for F75-As Cast; bars are the position among cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Physical3
F75 has a density of 8.3 g/cm³ (0.3 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F).
Mechanical16
F75 has a yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — weaker than 58% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
F75 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 55% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
F75 conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 52% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (87/100), better than 82% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of F75 takes about 150 MJ of energy and emits 11 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
F75's machinability is not recommended (12/100, better than 61% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the cobalt-chrome alloy family
Yield strength against density for every cobalt-chrome alloy grade FabDigit runs. F75 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with F75
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.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to F75. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor12 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | — / — |
| Minimum wall | — |
| Minimum internal radius | — |
| Drill depth limit | |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra — / — |
| Hardenable after machining | — |
3D printing
| Technologies | DMLS |
|---|---|
| Layer height | 20 – 60 µmdefault 30 µm |
| Minimum wall / feature | 0.5 / 0.3 mm |
| Build envelope | 250 × 250 × 325 mm |
| Supports | Yes |
| Anisotropy | Mild |
| Mandatory post-processing | heat treatment |
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Crpassive film former | 27 – 30 | 28.5 |
| Mosolid-solution strengthening, pitting resistance | 5 – 7 | 6 |
| Niimpurity limit (allergy control) | ≤ 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Fe | ≤ 0.75 | 0.3 |
| Clow-carbon AM powders typically ≤0.16 | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| 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 |
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.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on cobalt-chrome alloy parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F75 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- R30075
- ISO
- 5832-4
- Trade names
- CoCrMoCoCrMo CastVitallium
How much does F75 cost?
F75 is a premium-cost cobalt-chrome alloy ($$$), pricier than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
F75 — frequently asked
What is F75 used for?
F75 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?
F75 has a typical yield strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — weaker than 58% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is F75 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, better than 61% 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 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?
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 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?
F75 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.
How much does F75 cost?
F75 is a premium-cost cobalt-chrome alloy ($$$), pricier than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in F75?
Yes — F75 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
- ASTM F75 — Standard Specification for Cobalt-28 Chromium-6 Molybdenum Alloy Castings and Casting Alloy for Surgical Implants — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM F3301 — Additive Manufacturing, Post Processing Methods, Standard Specification for Thermal Post-Processing Metal Parts — ASTM International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys (Cobalt-Base Alloys) — ASM International (1990)
- EOS CobaltChrome MP1 Material Data Sheet — EOS GmbH (2022)
- Sandvik Osprey CoCrMo (ASTM F75) AM Powder Datasheet — Sandvik (2022)
- Biomaterials property compilations for Co-Cr-Mo implant alloys — Springer / Elsevier reviews (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.