What Is Cobalt Used For: All the Essential Uses of This Strategic Metal

Industrial Uses of Cobalt: A Metal with Multiple Applications

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Cobalt has become an essential element in several key industrial sectors. Its versatility makes it a valuable resource for diverse and vital applications.

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Cobalt in Batteries: Why Is It So Sought After?

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In our connected and increasingly electrified world, cobalt has become a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries. But why is cobalt so important for these technologies?

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Lithium-ion batteries containing cobalt offer:

• High energy density (more autonomy in a compact format)
• Superior thermal stability (reducing overheating risks)
• Longer lifespan (more charge/discharge cycles)
• Better energy storage capacity

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These batteries are found in your smartphones, laptops, tablets, but also in electric vehicles. For example, a Tesla Model S can contain up to 7 kg of cobalt in its battery!

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Alloys and Superalloys: When Cobalt Reinforces Metals

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Cobalt is a key element in the manufacture of alloys and superalloys with exceptional properties. These materials are used in extreme environments where resistance is critical.

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Cobalt-based superalloys are especially valued in:

• Aerospace industry (aircraft engines, turbines)
• Defense sector (missile components)
• Power plants (gas turbines)
• Industrial tooling exposed to heavy wear

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These alloys withstand temperatures of up to 1150 °C while maintaining structural integrity—an impressive technological feat!

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Medical Applications and Health: Cobalt Serving Well-Being

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You might be surprised to learn that cobalt also plays an important role in the medical field. Here’s how it contributes to our health:

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In medicine, cobalt is used for:

• Orthopedic prostheses (cobalt-chrome alloys)
• Medical imaging (cobalt-60 isotope for radiotherapy)
• Vitamin B12 composition (cobalamin), essential for proper nervous system function and red blood cell formation

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Chemistry and Catalysts: Accelerating Reactions

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In the chemical industry, cobalt is a valuable accelerator. It serves as a catalyst in many industrial processes such as:

• Production of synthetic fuels (Fischer-Tropsch process)
• Manufacture of plastics and resins
• Petroleum desulfurization
• Synthesis of alcohols and aldehydes

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These applications highlight the importance of cobalt in our industrial chain, even if we don’t directly see it.

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Properties and Advantages of Cobalt: Why Is This Metal So Special?

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Cobalt has physical and chemical characteristics that make it a material of choice for many advanced technological applications.

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Magnetic Properties and Conductivity: The Secret Behind Our Electronics

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Cobalt has exceptional magnetic properties that make it indispensable in several technologies:

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Heat, Wear, and Corrosion Resistance: A Champion of Endurance

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What makes cobalt particularly valuable in industry is its ability to withstand extreme conditions:

• High melting point (1495 °C)
• Excellent resistance to mechanical wear
• Strong resistance to chemical corrosion
• Structural stability at high temperatures

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These properties explain why cobalt is used in cutting tools, protective coatings, and components exposed to harsh environments.

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Cobalt and the Energy Transition: A Strategic Metal for a Sustainable Future

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Importance for Electric Mobility and Renewable Energy

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The transition to cleaner energy relies heavily on technologies using cobalt:

• Batteries for electric vehicles (EVs)
• Energy storage systems for power grids
• Wind turbine components (permanent magnets in generators)
• Solar panels (photovoltaic cells)

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According to the International Energy Agency, cobalt demand could increase sixfold by 2040, mainly due to the rise of electric vehicles. This projection underscores the strategic importance of this metal in our energy future.

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Cobalt and Daily Life: Where Is It Hidden Around You?

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Cobalt is present in many objects you use every day, often without you realizing it:

1. Electronics: smartphones, computers, tablets
2. Tools: drills, saws, DIY and gardening tools
3. Kitchenware: utensils, cutlery
4. Household appliances: motors, magnets
5. Watches and jewelry: alloys

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Use of Cobalt in Jewelry, Pigments, and Glass

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Cobalt is also valued for its aesthetic qualities. For centuries, it has added a unique touch to decorative arts:

• The famous “cobalt blue” used in painting, ceramics, and glassmaking
• Pigments for enamel and porcelain
• Colored glass and crystal
• Decorative jewelry and alloys

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The renowned Delft porcelain owes its characteristic blue to cobalt pigments.

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Safety, Hazards, and Precautions: What You Should Know About Cobalt

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Despite its many beneficial uses, cobalt presents certain risks:

• Occupational exposure: may cause dermatitis, asthma, or pulmonary fibrosis
• Ingestion: toxic at high doses
• Repeated contact: risk of skin sensitization

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In industry, strict measures are applied to protect workers: proper ventilation, protective equipment, and regular medical checks.

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Recycling and Environmental Impact: Toward a Circular Economy

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Faced with environmental challenges and resource scarcity, cobalt recycling is becoming essential:

• Recovery from end-of-life batteries (up to 95% possible)
• Reprocessing of used industrial catalysts
• Recovery from electronic waste

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Initiatives such as the European “ReLieVe” project aim to develop large-scale recycling channels for strategic metals like cobalt.

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Economy and Cobalt Market: Issues and Perspectives

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Prices and Availability: A Resource Under Pressure

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The cobalt market experiences significant fluctuations due to several factors:

• Concentrated global production (60% in the Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Growing demand for batteries
• Ethical concerns regarding extraction
• Geopolitical instability in some producing regions

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The price of cobalt has seen dramatic changes, from $32,000/ton in 2017 to over $90,000/ton in 2018, before falling and fluctuating again.

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Alternatives to Cobalt: The Search for Substitutes

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Faced with supply challenges, intensive research is underway to find alternatives:

• LFP batteries (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate): cobalt-free
• Lithium-manganese technologies: lower cobalt content
• New alloys: using less cobalt
• Alternative catalytic processes

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However, current substitutes do not yet fully match cobalt’s performance, especially in terms of energy density and durability.