Cobalt powder Description
Cobalt powder is a fine powder composed of small particles of the chemical element cobalt. It is malleable, magnetic, and has a high melting point. It appears as a gray, irregular powder, is soluble in acid, possesses magnetic properties, and easily oxidizes in humid air.
Cobalt powder is used in various applications, including the production of magnets, batteries, pigments, and catalysts. It can also be used as a precursor for other cobalt compounds and as a raw material in metal alloys. Due to its ability to absorb and emit radiation, cobalt powder is used in the field of nuclear technology for shielding and radiation therapy.
Main Products
| Type |
Purity |
Shape |
Particle Size |
| Cobalt Powder |
99.00% |
Spherical |
15-150um |
| 99.90% |
|
40-50 μm |
| 99.90% |
|
50-300nm |
| Lithium Cobalt Oxide |
>99.5% |
Non-Spherical |
≥4.0 µm; 14.0~18.0 µm; ≤45.0 µm |
| Cobalt Iron Oxide |
99% |
|
30 nm (TEM) |
| Cobalt Chromium Tungsten |
|
Spherical |
0-25,15-53,45-105,75-150μm |
| Cobalt Chromium Molybdenum |
|
Spherical |
0-25,15-53,45-105,75-150μm |
| Aluminum Cobalt |
|
Spherical |
-100 mesh, or customized |
| WC-Co6 Powder |
99.90% |
Spherical |
0.85-0.005mm, or as request |
| WC-Co12 Powder |
99.90% |
Spherical |
0.85-0.005mm, or as request |
| WC-5Co |
99.90% |
Non-Spherical |
5-30, 15-45, 45-105 μm, or customized |
| WC-8Co |
99.90% |
Non-Spherical |
5-30, 15-45, 45-105 μm, or customized |
| WC-10Co |
99.90% |
Non-Spherical |
5-30, 15-45, 45-105 μm, or customized |
| WC-15Co |
99.90% |
Non-Spherical |
5-30, 15-45, 45-105 μm, or customized |
Cobalt Powder Characteristics
- High melting point: Excellent stability at high temperatures.
- Good mechanical properties: High strength and toughness.
- Good thermal conductivity: Suitable for applications requiring high thermal conductivity.
- Low neutron absorption: Widely used in the nuclear industry.
- Flammability: Highly flammable in fine powder form.
Cobalt Powder Storage Precautions
- Moisture and oxidation prevention: Store in a dry environment and avoid air exposure.
- Static prevention: Prevent static buildup by using anti-static measures.
- Keep away from fire sources: Store away from flammable materials and heat sources.
- Sealed storage: Use sealed, fireproof, and explosion-proof containers.
- Regular checks: Monitor humidity, temperature, and container integrity regularly.
Cobalt Powder Applications
Cobalt powder is a versatile material with a wide range of applications across various industries.
1. High-Performance Alloys
Cobalt-based alloys and cobalt-containing steel alloys are critical in manufacturing components that require exceptional strength and durability. Key applications include:
- Blades and Impellers: Utilized in cutting tools and heavy machinery to enhance performance and longevity.
- Combustion Gas Turbines: Essential for jet engines, rocket engines, and missile components, providing high-temperature resistance.
- Heat-Resistant Parts: Used in chemical equipment and the nuclear industry for components that must withstand extreme conditions.
2. Powder Metallurgy
In powder metallurgy, cobalt serves as a vital binder that imparts toughness to hard alloys. Recent advancements and trends in cobalt powder for hard alloys include:
- Ultra-Fine Cobalt Powder: Enhances mechanical properties and performance of the final product.
- Nano WC-Co Powder: Improves wear resistance and durability, making it suitable for demanding applications.
- Spherical Cobalt Powder: Offers better flowability and compaction during manufacturing processes, leading to higher quality components.
3. Permanent Magnetic Alloys
Cobalt is a key component in permanent magnetic alloys, which are essential in modern electronics and electromechanical industries. Applications include:
- Electronic Devices: Manufacturing magnetic components for devices related to sound, light, and electricity.
- Electromechanical Systems: Creating efficient and reliable magnetic materials for various industrial applications.
4. Chemical Industry
In the chemical sector, cobalt powder is utilized in several ways:
- High-Alloy and Corrosion-Resistant Alloys: Enhances the durability and longevity of materials used in harsh environments.
- Colored Glass and Pigments: Provides vibrant colors for glassware, paints, and other pigments.
- Enamels, Catalysts, and Desiccants: Essential for various chemical processes, including catalysis and moisture absorption.
5. Battery Technology
Cobalt powder plays a significant role in the advancement of battery technologies:
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: The widespread use of lithium-ion batteries in electronics and electric vehicles has significantly increased the demand for cobalt. It enhances battery capacity and stability.
- Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries: Foam nickel electrodes doped with ultra-fine cobalt powder exhibit higher discharge capacity and stable cycling performance under high current charge and discharge conditions.
6. Petroleum Industry
In the petroleum sector, cobalt powder is crucial for various refining processes:
- Leaded Cracking Process: Acts as a catalyst in petroleum dehydrodesulfurization, helping to remove sulfur compounds from fuels.
- Nanocobalt Powder: Advances in nanotechnology have shown that nanocobalt powder has a catalytic effect on the thermal cracking process of polycarbosilanes, effectively reducing the cracking temperature and improving efficiency.
7. Nanotechnology Enhancements
With the progression of nanotechnology, cobalt powder has found new applications:
- Catalytic Processes: Nanocobalt powder enhances catalytic reactions, making processes more efficient and cost-effective.
- Material Science Innovations: Enables the development of new materials with superior properties for various industrial applications.
FAQ on Cobalt-Based Powder
1. How does cobalt-based powder differ from other metal powders?
Cobalt-based powder exhibits high hardness, excellent wear resistance, and good toughness, enabling it to perform exceptionally well under high load and high-temperature environments. Unlike single metal powders, cobalt-based powder enhances the overall performance of the material through alloying, making it suitable for applications that require high strength and durability.
2. What are the different types of cobalt-based powder?
-
Ultra-Fine Cobalt Powder:
Features smaller particle sizes, making it ideal for applications that demand high precision and fine structures.
-
Nano Tungsten Cobalt (WC-Co) Powder:
Combines the high hardness of tungsten with the toughness of cobalt, widely used in manufacturing hard alloy tools.
-
Spherical Cobalt Powder:
Possesses excellent flowability and compressibility, suitable for producing high-density and high-quality powder metallurgy products.
3. What is the role of cobalt-based powder in powder metallurgy?
In powder metallurgy, cobalt serves as a binder that tightly bonds hard particles such as tungsten carbide (WC), imparting the alloy with exceptional hardness and wear resistance. Additionally, the toughness of cobalt enhances the material's impact resistance, ensuring stable performance under high load and high-temperature conditions.
4. What are the future development trends for cobalt-based powder?
-
Application of Nanotechnology:
Developing nano-scale cobalt-based powders to enhance material properties and expand their range of applications.
-
Green Manufacturing:
Promoting environmentally friendly production processes to reduce carbon emissions and waste during manufacturing.
-
High-Performance Alloys:
Creating cobalt-based alloys with higher strength, wear resistance, and high-temperature tolerance to meet the demands of aerospace, energy, and high-tech manufacturing sectors.
-
Sustainable Supply Chain:
Strengthening the sustainable mining and recycling of cobalt resources to ensure long-term supply and environmental protection.
5. How does cobalt-based powder affect battery performance?
In lithium-ion batteries, cobalt-based powder is primarily used in cathode materials, enhancing the battery's energy density and cycle life. The presence of cobalt helps stabilize the electrode structure, preventing capacity loss and improving the battery's performance under high temperatures and high discharge rates.
