Cobalt
Cobalt Facts
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It was discovered in Sweden in 1735 by Georg Brandt. It is a lustrous, silvery blue, hard metal, which is ferromagnetic. It is obtained from silver ores (arsenides and sulphides) and Ni, Cu and Pb arsenide ores. The ore is roasted and Co is precipitated as the hydroxide and then reduced to Co with carbon.
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The structure of this metal alters from hcp below 417°C to ccp until its melting point.
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It is stable in air and unaffected by water, but slowly attacked by dilute acids. It absorbs hydrogen strongly. 60Co is a useful radioisotope.
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It is an essential requirement in the diet of most species. For humans, cobalt generally has low toxicity by ingestion, but can produce vomiting. Cobalt is a suspected carcinogen.
Atomic no.
Relative Atomic Mass
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Density
Electrical Resistivity
Young's Modulus
Heat Capacity
Abundance
Thermal Conductivity
27
58.93
1495 °C
2927 °C
8900 kg/m3
62 nΩ⋅m
209 GPa
24.81 J/K⋅mol
20 ppm
100 W/m⋅K
Lipmann Walton & Co Ltd - as in other markets - focuses its efforts on the metal fraction of the market and usually carries stock in the form of broken cathodes. In the past we have also taken in cobalt bearing scrap, residue, and/or alloys of alnico & kovar for remelting.
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Cobalt was once one of the most volatile markets, fluctuating between $10per lb and as high as 50 per lb.
The rise of Electric vehicles changed this market entirely, doubling output from just over 100,000 mt per year in 2017 to 200,000 mt in 2025, with half this total produced in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Today's use of cobalt in cathode materials or electrolyte formulations for batteries has diminished the need to upgrade to pure Co 99.99% cobalt cathodes. Whereas in the past super alloy consumption of broken cathodes dominated, today Cobalt Hydroxide is the base product destined for further processing and adding to battery material formulations in China.
Former applications have simply passed into lower significance - its application in tungsten carbides for drill bits, in oil catalysts, adhesives, feedstuff, colours and magnets.
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