Cobalt-Chrome Alloy F90
ASTM F90
F90 is the wrought Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni alloy of ASTM F90, known industrially as L-605 or Haynes 25, combining high strength, good wear resistance, strong resistance to body fluids and useful strength to 980 °C.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
F90 tempers and conditions
F90 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. Solution Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution AnnealedDefault 1180–1230 °C, rapid cool | Standard stocked condition: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for forming, machining and welding before final processing. | 460 | 1,000 | 55 | 240 HB | — |
cold reduced (approx. 20–40 %) per ASTM F90 cold-worked condition | Choose when higher strength and fatigue capability are needed and the part needs little further forming (bar, strip, springs, stent tubing). | 1,200 | 1,500 | 15 | 44 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways F90 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Cold Worked Hard Wire | Cold Worked Hard | Supply form |
Hot Worked | Hot rolled / forged, as-worked | Surface finish |
What is F90?
F90 is the wrought Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni alloy of ASTM F90, known industrially as L-605 or Haynes 25, combining high strength, good wear resistance, strong resistance to body fluids and useful strength to 980 °C. In the solution-annealed condition it reaches 1000 MPa tensile strength, 460 MPa yield and 55 % elongation at 240 HB (96 HRB), and is supplied as bar, sheet, strip and fine wire. It is used medically for orthopaedic implants, stents, guidewires and dental parts, and industrially for combustion chambers, springs and high-temperature fasteners. Main limits are the cost of cobalt and tungsten, severe work hardening during cutting and cold forming, and the cobalt/nickel content, which rules it out where nickel sensitivity is a concern. F90 has a density of 9.13 g/cm³ (0.33 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F). F90 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — weaker than 90% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi).
What is F90 used for?
- Vascular stents and guidewires
- Orthopaedic and spinal implants
- Dental components
- Gas turbine combustion chamber parts
- High-temperature springs
- High-temperature fasteners
- Wear-resistant sheet metal liners
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 100 MPa·√m (91 ksi·√in), better than 97% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 96% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- High service temperature — 980°C (1,796 °F), better than 93% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Readily welded — 70/100, better than 89% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Forms and bends easily — 55/100, better than 89% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 9.6 W/m·K (5.55 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- High embodied carbon — 18 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
- Low strength — 460 MPa (66.7 ksi), worse than 90% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades
F90 properties
Typical room-temperature values for F90-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Physical3
F90 has a density of 9.13 g/cm³ (0.33 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F).
Mechanical15
F90 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — weaker than 90% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi).
Thermal6
F90 is rated for continuous service to 980°C (1,796 °F). It conducts heat at 9.6 W/m·K (5.55 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
F90 conducts electricity at 1.9 % IACS, worse than 52% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (84/100), better than 75% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of F90 takes about 250 MJ of energy and emits 18 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
F90's machinability is poor (16/100, better than 86% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
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. F90 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with F90
Is F90 easy to machine?
Very difficult: rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or ceramic tools, low speed with heavy feed, flood coolant and no dwelling to avoid rapid work hardening.
Can F90 be welded?
GTAW, plasma, laser and electron-beam welding are used with matched L-605 filler; keep heat input low, no preheat, and solution anneal after welding for best ductility and corrosion resistance.
Can F90 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the solution-annealed condition with generous radii and high forming loads; work-hardening rate is high so intermediate anneals at 1180–1230 °C are usually needed.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to F90. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor16 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | — / — |
| Minimum wall | — |
| Minimum internal radius | — |
| Drill depth limit | |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra — / — |
| Hardenable after machining | — |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair70 / 100 |
F90 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cr | 19 – 21 | 20 |
| W | 14 – 16 | 15 |
| Ni | 9 – 11 | 10 |
| Fe | ≤ 3 | 1.5 |
| Mn | 1 – 2 | 1.5 |
| C | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cobalance, nominally ~50 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on F90?
Electropolishing and passivation per ASTM F86 give an implant-quality surface; takes a high mirror polish, and can be PVD coated but not anodized.
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 F90 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- CoCrWNi Wrought
How much does F90 cost?
F90 is a specialty-cost cobalt-chrome alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
F90 — frequently asked
What is F90 used for?
F90 is typically used for vascular stents and guidewires, orthopaedic and spinal implants, dental components, gas turbine combustion chamber parts, high-temperature springs and high-temperature fasteners. In short: wrought biomedical cobalt.
What is the yield strength of F90?
F90 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — weaker than 90% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is F90 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (16/100, better than 86% of cobalt-chrome alloy grades). Very difficult: rigid setups, positive-rake carbide or ceramic tools, low speed with heavy feed, flood coolant and no dwelling to avoid rapid work hardening.
Can F90 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). GTAW, plasma, laser and electron-beam welding are used with matched L-605 filler; keep heat input low, no preheat, and solution anneal after welding for best ductility and corrosion resistance.
What surface finishes work on F90?
Electropolishing and passivation per ASTM F86 give an implant-quality surface; takes a high mirror polish, and can be PVD coated but not anodized.
Can F90 be formed, bent or molded?
Form in the solution-annealed condition with generous radii and high forming loads; work-hardening rate is high so intermediate anneals at 1180–1230 °C are usually needed.
What is the maximum service temperature of F90?
F90 is rated for continuous use to about 980°C (1,796 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does F90 cost?
F90 is a specialty-cost cobalt-chrome alloy ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% 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 F90?
Yes — F90 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM F90 — Standard Specification for Wrought Cobalt-20Chromium-15Tungsten-10Nickel Alloy for Surgical Implant Applications — ASTM International (2021)
- HAYNES 25 alloy (L-605) technical data — Haynes International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- ASTM F86 — Surface Preparation and Marking of Metallic Surgical Implants — ASTM International (2021)
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.