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Specialty Alloy

Cobalt 21 & Cobalt-Chrome Electropolishing Service

Improved biocompatibility on cobalt alloys for orthopedic and cardiovascular implants — increased corrosion resistance and surface improvement for turbine components. Meets ASTM F86.

ASTM F86
Biocompatible
Orthopedic
Implants
Turbine
Aerospace
#1
Largest EP Specialist

Cobalt alloys are prized for their outstanding biocompatibility, wear resistance, and high-temperature strength — making them the material of choice for orthopedic and cardiovascular implants, surgical instruments, and aerospace turbine components.

At Able Electropolishing, we routinely process Cobalt 21, Cobalt-Chrome (CoCr), and L605 using our precision electropolishing process. Electropolishing improves surface finish on turbine components while simultaneously improving biocompatibility for implant applications — delivering an ASTM F86-compliant surface finish in a single process step.

Cobalt-Chrome may require additional stock removal for optimal results. Standard material removal is .0005″–.001″ measured from the thickness or diametrically. L605 achieves an outstanding finish like 316 stainless steel — the best result in the cobalt alloy family.

Send us your cobalt alloy parts for a free evaluation. We’ll electropolish them at no cost — we’ll even pay for shipping. By establishing processing parameters on your parts, you can factor material removal into your design-stage specifications.

Benefits of Electropolishing Cobalt 21 & Cobalt-Chrome

Biocompat
🏥

Improved Biocompatibility

Electropolishing removes surface contaminants, free metal ions, and manufacturing debris that compromise biocompatibility — delivering a clean, passive surface that meets ASTM F86 requirements for implantable cobalt alloy devices.

Wear
⚙️

Reduced Wear & Particulate

Smooth electropolished surfaces minimize micro-asperity contact in metal-on-metal joint implants, reducing wear particle generation that can cause adverse tissue reactions and implant loosening over time.

ASTM F86
🛡️

Medical Standards Compliance

Able's cobalt alloy electropolishing process meets ASTM F86 — the standard specification for surface preparation and marking of metallic surgical implants, ensuring regulatory compliance for medical device manufacturers.

Friction
✨

Lower Friction Coefficient

Electropolished articulating surfaces on orthopedic implants exhibit significantly lower friction coefficients — improving joint mobility, reducing pain, and extending implant service life in demanding biomechanical environments.

Fatigue
🔬

Improved Fatigue Life

Electropolishing removes surface stress risers — micro-cracks, machining marks, and surface defects that serve as fatigue crack initiation sites. Critical for guide pins, K-wires, and bone screws subjected to cyclic loading.

High Temp
🔥

Oxidation Resistance for Turbines

L605 cobalt alloy electropolished to a finish like 316 SS — delivering improved oxidation resistance and surface integrity for turbine blades and vanes operating at extreme temperatures in aerospace propulsion systems.

Before & After

Electropolishing Results: Cobalt-Chrome

BEFORE EP
→
AFTER EP

Cobalt-Chrome — Visual Finish

Good bright finish after electropolishing. Additional stock removal may be required for optimal results. L605 achieves a finish like 316 SS. Biocompatible surface for orthopedic and cardiovascular implant applications.

Before: 16–20 µin RaAfter: 8–10 µin Ra
SEM: BEFORE EP
SEM: AFTER EP

Cobalt-Chrome — SEM Surface Topography (500×)

Scanning electron microscopy reveals how electropolishing dissolves surface peaks, eliminates machining marks, and removes embedded contaminants — delivering a biocompatible surface that meets ASTM F86.

Rough: peaks, burrs, inclusionsSmooth: passive biocompatible surface

Cobalt Alloy Components We Electropolish

Orthopedic Implants

Hip and knee replacement components, femoral heads, acetabular cups, and tibial trays — electropolished for improved biocompatibility, reduced wear particle generation, and ASTM F86 compliance.

Cardiovascular Implants

Heart valve components, stent frames, and vascular implants — electropolished to remove surface contaminants and achieve the ultra-clean passive surface required for blood-contacting cobalt alloy devices.

Bone Screws & Fixation Plates

Orthopedic bone screws, fixation plates, and intramedullary nails — electropolished to remove machining burrs, improve corrosion resistance, and deliver a clean biocompatible surface for permanent implantation.

Guide Pins & K-Wires

Precision orthopedic guide pins and Kirschner wires — electropolished to improve surface quality, remove micro-burrs that cause tissue trauma during insertion, and enhance fatigue resistance under cyclic loading.

Surgical Instruments

Cobalt alloy forceps, retractors, and cutting instruments — electropolished for improved cleanability, corrosion resistance to sterilization chemicals, and a bright finish that aids visual inspection during procedures.

Turbine Blades & Vanes

L605 cobalt alloy turbine blades and vanes for aerospace propulsion — electropolished to a finish like 316 SS for improved oxidation resistance, surface integrity, and aerodynamic performance at extreme temperatures.

Dental Implants & Prosthetics

Cobalt-chrome dental frameworks, crowns, and implant components — electropolished for improved biocompatibility, corrosion resistance in oral environments, and a bright aesthetic finish for visible dental prosthetics.

Industrial Wear Components

Cobalt alloy bearings, wear plates, and industrial cutting tools — electropolished to remove surface stress risers, improve fatigue life, and deliver a smooth low-friction surface for demanding industrial applications.

Cobalt Alloy Finish Results

Expected finish quality from Able's electropolishing process based on extensive production experience.

Alloy Able Finish Quality EP Benefit Typical Parts Ra Before → After

Our Electropolishing Process

1

Part Evaluation

Alloy grade, geometry, and spec requirements assessed. Stock removal discussed.

2

Cleaning & Prep

Oils, oxides, and contaminants removed. Custom racking designed for cobalt parts.

3

Electropolishing

Proprietary electrolyte dissolves surface peaks. Passive biocompatible layer forms.

4

Passivation

Uniform corrosion-resistant passive layer formed and verified per ASTM F86.

5

QC & Delivery

Inspected per specification, packed and shipped.

Contact us to learn more about cobalt chrome electropolishing

Learn About the Electropolishing Difference


Electropolishing 101 Webinar

Electropolishing 101
Webinar

Learn everything you need to know about electropolishing as part of a private, interactive webinar. Let us know your availability and your part issues and our electropolishing experts can get you on our schedule.

Schedule Your Private Webinar
Try Electropolishing for Free: Sample Request

Try Electropolishing for Free:
Sample Request

Send us your parts and we'll electropolish them for free – we'll even pay for the shipping! Samples are processed and returned in a few days.

Request a Sample

Medical Device Manufacturing

Medical Device Manufacturing

From implantable devices to surgical instruments, electropolishing is a single-process treatment that results in biocompatible, safe and ultra clean parts.

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Aerospace

Aerospace

We offer aerospace vendors and original equipment manufacturers our signature metal finishing services to increase fatigue-resistance for their metal parts.

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Dental

Dental

Electropolishing cobalt-chrome dental frameworks and prosthetics improves biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and delivers a bright aesthetic finish.

Learn More  

Automotive

Automotive

Corrosion resistance and microfinish improvement are essential for critical automotive parts, making electropolishing an increasingly beneficial option for automakers.

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Electropolishing, Passivation and Metal Surface Analytics Blog

Why Manufacturers Use Electropolishing for Precision Metal Parts

Electropolishing is a precise and controllable process for eliminating defects from the surface of metal parts. But it’s not the only finishing process available to manufacturers; there are mechanical, chemical and plating processes that can remove defects and improve the…

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High-Quality Electropolishing for Small and Intricate Parts

Metal fabrication for parts used in the medical and electronics industries can involve dimensions as small as a grain of rice — or even a strand of hair. At that scale, surface defects may be invisible to the naked eye,…

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When is Stainless Steel Passivation Required?

While stainless steel is known for its corrosion resistance, it contains iron, which is susceptible to corrosion, especially if parts are frequently exposed to moisture or harsh environments. Contamination left behind by machining processes can also impede the corrosion resistance…

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Electropolishing Specialist vs. a Local Metal Finishing Company

Electropolishing is a highly controlled electrochemical process that directly impacts surface integrity, corrosion resistance, cleanliness, and performance.

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Able Electropolishing provide?

We provide electropolishing, nitric & citric passivation, and vacuum vapor degreasing.

What are the maximum part sizes that can be processed for electropolishing, passivation, and vapor degreasing?

Electropolishing:

  • 300 & 400 series stainless steel: 108” Length x 41” Width x 42” Height
  • Copper, brass, aluminum, steel, and nickel alloys: 72” Length x 14” Width x 17” Height (best results are achieved on parts that are no larger than 12” square)
  • Titanium, Nitinol, tungsten, and niobium, etc. (refractory metals): 26” Length x 8-3/4” Width x 9-3/4” Height

Passivation:

  • Standard nitric acid passivation: 72” Length x 30” Width x 30” Height
  • Nitric acid/sodium dichromate: 20” Length, 20” Width x 20” Height
  • Citric acid: 26” Length x 18” Width x 15” Height

Vapor degrease:

  • Vapor degrease (vacuum): 23” Length x 16” Width x 10” Height

Note: If there is a question regarding our capabilities, please email a print for review to sales@ableelectropolishing.com.

What information do you require in order to receive a quotation?

We need a copy of the drawing, service needed, lot and annual quantities, process specification and packaging requirements.

What is your standard lead-time?

Standard delivery is 3 to 5 working days after receipt of order. Next day and same day services are offered at an additional cost. Please contact our sales department for further details.

What is the difference between passivation and electropolishing?

Passivation is a chemical process designed to remove free iron and other contaminants from the part surface. Electropolishing is an electro-chemical process that removes surface metal which improves micro finish, provides deburring and adds to the aesthetics of your part.