Cobalt, Co (27)
Cobalt has traditionally been a by-product of copper ores mined in central Africa. However, a growing amonut of cobalt today is extracted elsewhere as a byproduct of nickel raw materials. Cobalt’s main uses are in rechargeable Li-ion batteries and in superalloys (for turbine blades in aircraft and industrial gas turbines). Cobalt compounds also serve as a catalyst in the production of polyester fibres and PET resins, gas-to-liquid (GTL) conversion processes, and in the removal of sulphur from oil (hydrodesulfarization). Cobalt metal is also used in tool steels, animal feeds, magnets, electroplaing, and paint and tire drying compounds.
Cobalt metal is typically available as briquettes, chopped or cut cathode, metal “rounds”, and powders. Purities are generally 99.3% and 99.8%.