Cobalt is a chemical element with the symbol Co and atomic number 27. It is a lustrous, silvery-blue metal that is hard and brittle. Cobalt is found in the Earths crust only in a chemically combined form, save for small deposits found in alloys of natural meteoric iron. Here are some key properties and uses of cobalt:
Properties:
- Appearance: hard lustrous bluish gray metal
- Melting point: 1495°C, 2723°F, 1768 K
- Boiling point: 2927°C, 5301°F, 3200 K
- Density: 8.90 g/cm3 (near room temperature)
- Electron configuration: [Ar] 3d7 4s2
- Cobalt is ductile and ferromagnetic, and has a metallic permeability of about two thirds that of iron.
Uses:
- Cobalt is used to make magnets, particularly powerful ones when alloyed with aluminum and nickel.
- Other alloys of cobalt are used in jet turbines and gas turbine generators, where high-temperature strength is important.
- Cobalt metal is sometimes used in electroplating because of its hardness and resistance to oxidation.
- Cobalt is used in the production of rechargeable batteries, such as those used in electric vehicles.
- Cobalt is used in the production of superalloys, which are used in jet engine parts and gas turbines.
- Cobalt is used in the production of hard metals, such as those used in cutting tools and drill bits.
- Cobalt is used in the production of pigments and dyes, such as the blue glaze used in Chinese porcelain.
- Cobalt-60, a manmade isotope, is commonly used in cancer treatments.
Overall, cobalt is an important element with a variety of uses in industry and technology.
