Uses of Cobalt in Medicine and Industrial Manufacturing

Cobalt is a hard silvery-white metal, it belongs to the metallic element of the iron group. Cobalt is similar to iron in appearance the only difference is cobalt has a reddish tinge. Cobalt is harder than iron, but melts at a lower temperature and is somewhat heavier. Acid will dissolve cobalt. Cobalt is not found in pure state in nature, but it often occurs with nickel, copper, or iron. Most cobalt is obtained as a by-product in smelting nickel or copper ores. A variety of metallurgical processes are used to recover the cobalt, depending on the type of ore.

Uses of Cobalt in Industrial and Machine Making:

• Cobalt is used in making jet engine and gas turbine parts, because cobalt is very resistant to corrosion and damage, even at high temperature.
• Cobalt alloyed with chromium and tungsten is used in making high-speed cutting tools.
• Cobalt is used to make a strong permanent magnets, because cobalt has a magnetic properties. An important example is alnico, an alloy containing aluminum, nickel, iron, and cobalt.
• Cobalt 60, a radioactive isotopes is a commercial source of high energy radiation. In metal industry it is used to detect flaws in metal parts.
• Different kinds of compounds cobalt are used as pigment in pottery, glass enamels and paints. The most popular of this compound is cobalt blue, a bluish-green compound of alumina and cobalt oxide that has long been used in pottery.
• Some compounds of cobalt are used as driers, substances that promote drying in paints, varnishes and printing inks.

Alnico - is an acronym for Al (aluminum), Ni (Nickel) and Co (Cobalt). Alnico alloys makes strong permanent magnets.

Alloy - a metal formed by mixing two or more metals.

Uses of Cobalt in the Body and Medicine:

• Cobalt is essential in small amount for proper nutrition. This element forms an essential part of Vitamin B12.
• Cobalt 60, a radioactive isotope, is used as commercial source of high energy radiation. Radiation in medicine is used to destroy cancerous tissue.