Abstract: A method of melting and refining an alloy comprises vacuum induction melting starting materials to provide a vacuum induction melted alloy. At least a portion of the vacuum induction melted alloy is electroslag remelted to provide an electroslag remelted alloy. At least a portion of the vacuum arc remelted alloy is vacuum arc remelted to provide a singly vacuum arc remelted alloy. At least a portion of the singly vacuum arc remelted alloy is vacuum arc remelted to provide a doubly vacuum arc remelted alloy. In various embodiments, a composition of the vacuum induction melted alloy comprises primarily one of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, niobium, molybdenum, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold.

Abstract: A method of melting and refining an alloy comprises vacuum induction melting starting materials to provide a vacuum induction melted alloy. At least a portion of the vacuum induction melted alloy is electroslag remelted to provide an electroslag remelted alloy. At least a portion of the vacuum arc remelted alloy is vacuum arc remelted to provide a singly vacuum arc remelted alloy. At least a portion of the singly vacuum arc remelted alloy is vacuum arc remelted to provide a doubly vacuum arc remelted alloy. In various embodiments, a composition of the vacuum induction melted alloy comprises primarily one of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, niobium, molybdenum, technetium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold.

Abstract: An austenitic alloy may generally comprise, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: up to 0.2 carbon; greater than 2.0 up to 20.0 manganese; 0.1 to 1.0 silicon; 14.0 to 28.0 chromium; 15.0 to 38.0 nickel; 2.0 to 9.0 molybdenum; 0.1 to 3.0 copper; 0.08 to 0.9 nitrogen; 0.1 to 5.0 tungsten; 0.5 to 5.0 cobalt; up to 1.0 titanium; up to 0.05 boron; up to 0.05 phosphorus; up to 0.05 sulfur; iron; and incidental impurities.

Abstract: An austenitic alloy may generally comprise, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: up to 0.2 carbon; up to 20 manganese; 0.1 to 1.0 silicon; 14.0 to 28.0 chromium; 15.0 to 38.0 nickel; 2.0 to 9.0 molybdenum; 0.1 to 3.0 copper; 0.08 to 0.9 nitrogen; 0.1 to 5.0 tungsten; 0.5 to 5.0 cobalt; up to 1.0 titanium; up to 0.05 boron; up to 0.05 phosphorus; up to 0.05 sulfur; iron; and incidental impurities.

Abstract: An austenitic alloy may generally comprise, in weight percentages based on total alloy weight: up to 0.2 carbon; up to 20 manganese; 0.1 to 1.0 silicon; 14.0 to 28.0 chromium; 15.0 to 38.0 nickel; 2.0 to 9.0 molybdenum; 0.1 to 3.0 copper; 0.08 to 0.9 nitrogen; 0.1 to 5.0 tungsten; 0.5 to 5.0 cobalt; up to 1.0 titanium; up to 0.05 boron; up to 0.05 phosphorous; up to 0.05 sulfur; iron; and incidental impurities.

Abstract: A cobalt-nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy useful in surgical implant applications includes, in weight percent based on total alloy weight, at least 20 cobalt, 33.0 to 37.0 nickel, 19.0 to 21.0 chromium, 9.0 to 10.5 molybdenum, and less than 30 ppm nitrogen. Embodiments of the alloy lack significant levels of titanium nitride and mixed carbonitride inclusions. The alloy may be cold drawn to thin-gauge wire without damage to the die as may be caused by hard particle inclusions in certain conventional alloy formulations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of processing cobalt alloys including, in weight percent, from 26 to 30 chromium, from 5 to 7 molybdenum, and greater than 50 cobalt, the methods comprises cold working and aging the alloys such that after aging the cobalt alloys have a hardness of at least Rockwell C 50. Other embodiments provide methods of selectively cold working at least one portion of a cobalt alloy, and subsequently aging the alloy, such after aging, the selectively cold worked portions of the alloy have a higher hardness value then portions of the alloy that were not selectively cold worked. The present invention also discloses cobalt alloys, implants, and articles of manufacture made from cobalt alloys within the present invention.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of processing cobalt alloys including, in weight percent, from 26 to 30 chromium, from 5 to 7 molybdenum, and greater than 50 cobalt, the methods comprises cold working and aging the alloys such that after aging the cobalt alloys have a hardness of at least Rockwell C 50. Other embodiments provide methods of selectively cold working at least one portion of a cobalt alloy, and subsequently aging the alloy, such after aging, the selectively cold worked portions of the alloy have a higher hardness value then portions of the alloy that were not selectively cold worked. The present invention also discloses cobalt alloys, implants, and articles of manufacture made from cobalt alloys within the present invention.