Cobalt Chromium Molybdenum Alloy in Medical Application

Cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy is a cobalt-based alloy composed of cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum. It has good magnetic properties, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and high-temperature strength, so it is used in applications that require good corrosion and wear resistance, typically in hostile environments.

One particular feature of Co-Cr-Mo alloy is that it exhibits a balance between biocompatibility and mechanical properties. Therefore, it has been used in dental and joint surgery for more than 10 years. In recent years, more and more medical device manufacturers have begun to put these two types of alloys into the spinal prosthesis market. So are such emerging materials more beneficial to spinal patients? Let’s cut in from 3 points today.

1. Does Not Affect MRI Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination is an effective tool for the diagnosis of diseases in orthopedics, especially in spinal surgery. However, safety concerns need to be considered when performing MRI in patients with metallic implants. In addition, metal implants will cause a large number of artifacts in MRI imaging, which will affect the performance of image diagnosis. In the past, iron and stainless steel were used as orthopedic implant materials, and the artifacts were very obvious, which seriously interfered with the interpretation of images.

Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys have smaller magnetic field attraction than titanium alloys and other metals in the MRI environment, and generate less heat. Not only that, the artifacts produced by cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy implants in MRI examination can be further reduced by selecting appropriate scanning sequences and parameters, and good images can be obtained.

2. Strong and Rigid

Co-Cr-Mo alloy is not easy to break and bend. Cobalt chromium molybdenum material is ahead of titanium alloy and other materials in terms of strength and stiffness.

3. Strong Corrosion Resistance

Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo) is one of the cobalt-based alloys that are resistant to wear, corrosion, and heat. Its corrosion resistance is 40 times stronger than that of stainless steel, and its wear resistance is also very superior. It can be used in the human body for 20 or 30 years without abrasion. It can also maintain its properties even at high temperatures.

Conclusion

Just like when titanium alloy replaced stainless steel, it is believed that cobalt chromium molybdenum may be popularized or replace titanium alloy in the near future. If you are interested in cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy materials, welcome to visit our website for more information.