Corrosion-Resistant Alloy for Biomed, Areospace

By DE Editors

Stratasys (Eden Prairie, MN) released a new alloy, ASTM F-75 CobaltChromium, for use with Arcam AB (Mölndal, Sweden) EBM (electron beammelting) systems. Stratasys is the exclusive North American distributorof Arcam’s EBM rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems.

Cobalt Chrome, says Stratasys, is ideal for biomedical and aerospaceapplications requiring high strength, low weight, and excellent wearand corrosion resistance. Cobalt Chrome alloys are said to be usedwidely in orthopedic implants in Europe, particularly in total-hip orknee arthroplasty, as well as in metal-on-metal bearings in total-hiparthroplasty.

   

Stratasys F-75 Cobalt Chromium

> > Knee placement parts produced with the new ASTM F-75Cobalt Chromium alloy available from Stratasys.

EBM is a direct digital manufacturing method for rapid manufacturingand prototyping of metal components in low volumes. The processproduces solid metal parts through a patented process calledCAD-to-Metal, where parts are built in layers from metal powder. Duringthe process, successive layers are formed when an electron beam meltsthe metal powder following the instructions of the geometry defined bythe CAD file. According to Stratasys, because the process occurs in ahigh vacuum and the powder is fully melted, parts are 100 percent denseand free of imperfections caused by oxidation.

Cobalt Chrome is joins a family of metals, including Ti6AI4V Titaniumand Ti6AI4V ELI, for EBM rapid manufacturing and prototyping systems.For more details on Cobalt Chrome or the EBM process, click here. To go to the Stratasys home page, click here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.