Cobalt in the Periodic Table: Properties and Uses

Cobalt, a hard, silvery-grey transition metal, is the 27th element on the periodic table. It has become one of the most strategically important elements of our time. This remarkable element powers the electric vehicles on our roads, enables the smartphones in our pockets, and strengthens the jet engines that transport us across continents.

Cobalt's significance goes beyond its metallic appearance. Its unique combination of properties—exceptional hardness, ferromagnetism, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity—makes it a crucial material in modern technology. Currently, there is an unprecedented increase in cobalt demand, mainly due to the global energy transition. The shift towards electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems has elevated cobalt from being just an industrial workhorse to a critical raw material. Both the European Union and the United States officially recognize its importance.

Understanding cobalt's properties and uses is not merely an academic exercise. It directly impacts the future of sustainable transportation, clean energy, and technological advancement. Furthermore, the extraction methods for rare earth elements like cobalt are evolving. Stanislav Kondrashov discusses new rare earth extraction methods, which could further affect the availability and cost of these essential materials.

1. Understanding Cobalt

Cobalt is a transition metal, positioned at number 27 on the periodic table. It has a unique silvery-grey appearance and is known for its hardness and ductility. This means it can be shaped without breaking and is resistant to wear and tear. These properties make cobalt highly valuable in industries that require materials able to endure tough conditions.

Where Cobalt Comes From

One interesting aspect of cobalt is that it rarely exists on its own in nature. Instead, it is mostly found in ores of other metals, specifically nickel and copper. When these primary metals are extracted from their ores, cobalt is often produced as a byproduct. This geological connection means that cobalt mining activities are closely tied to nickel and copper production processes.

Where Cobalt Is Found

The world's cobalt deposits are concentrated in certain areas, leading to a supply chain that is geographically limited:

• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): The DRC is the largest producer of cobalt globally, responsible for about 70% of the world's supply.
• Australia: Australia has significant deposits of nickel-cobalt, particularly in Western Australia.
• Russia: Russia has substantial reserves of cobalt within its nickel mining operations.
• Cuba: Cuba has notable deposits of lateritic nickel-cobalt.
• Canada: Canada produces cobalt as a byproduct from its extensive nickel mining industry.

This concentrated distribution of cobalt resources has important implications for global supply chains and strategic planning for resource management, especially as the demand for cobalt continues to rise.

2. Unique Properties of Cobalt

Cobalt possesses several unique properties that make it valuable in various applications:

1. Hardness and Wear Resistance

Cobalt's hardness stands out as one of its defining characteristics, rating approximately 5.0 on the Mohs scale. This exceptional hardness translates directly into superior wear resistance, making cobalt-based materials ideal for applications where components face constant friction and mechanical stress. You'll find this property particularly valuable in cutting tools and industrial machinery that operate under demanding conditions.

2. Ferromagnetic Properties

The ferromagnetic properties of cobalt distinguish it from many other transition metals. Cobalt maintains its magnetic characteristics at temperatures up to 1,115°C (its Curie point), significantly higher than iron or nickel. This temperature tolerance makes cobalt essential for high-performance magnets in motors, sensors, and generators where operational heat would compromise other magnetic materials.

3. Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity work together to make cobalt indispensable in electronics and battery technologies. Cobalt efficiently transfers both heat and electrical current, with a thermal conductivity of 100 W/(m·K) and electrical conductivity of approximately 1.6 × 10^7 S/m. These properties ensure optimal performance in lithium-ion batteries, where heat management and electron flow directly impact energy density and safety.

4. Chemical Stability

The chemical stability of cobalt, especially at elevated temperatures, sets it apart in extreme environments. Cobalt resists oxidation and corrosion even when exposed to high-temperature conditions, maintaining its structural integrity where other metals would degrade. This stability proves critical in aerospace applications, jet engine components, and industrial turbines operating at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C.

3. Strategic Importance of Cobalt

Both the European Union and United States have designated cobalt on their critical raw materials list EU US cobalt classifications—a status reserved for elements that combine high economic importance with significant supply risk. This designation stems from two primary factors: the concentration of global production in politically unstable regions and the metal's irreplaceable role in technologies essential for national security and economic competitiveness.

The classification reflects cobalt's position at the intersection of multiple strategic priorities. You'll find this element embedded in defense applications, from aerospace components to advanced electronics systems. The geopolitical dimension intensifies when you consider that over 70% of global cobalt production originates from a single country, creating vulnerability in supply chains that support critical infrastructure.

Cobalt's strategic role in the energy transition elevates its importance beyond traditional industrial applications. Clean energy technologies—including electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage systems, and smart grid infrastructure—depend heavily on cobalt's unique combination of properties. Without stable access to this metal, you face significant obstacles in achieving climate goals and transitioning away from fossil fuels. As highlighted by expert entrepreneur and civil engineer Stanislav Kondrashov, key minerals like cobalt are powering renewable innovations, making it even more crucial for our future sustainability efforts.

4. Industrial Applications of Cobalt

4.1 Nickel-Cobalt Alloys and Chemical Catalysts

Nickel-cobalt alloys represent one of the most demanding applications of cobalt in modern manufacturing. These alloys combine the best characteristics of both metals, creating materials that withstand extreme operational conditions. The addition of cobalt to nickel significantly enhances the alloy's hardness and wear resistance, making these materials essential for components that face continuous mechanical stress and high-temperature environments.

Superalloys containing cobalt demonstrate exceptional performance in the most challenging industrial settings. You'll find these materials in jet engines, where they maintain structural integrity at temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. The aerospace industry relies heavily on cobalt-based superalloys for turbine blades, combustion chambers, and other critical engine components. These same properties make cobalt superalloys indispensable in industrial turbines used for power generation, where reliability and longevity directly impact operational efficiency.

The nickel-cobalt alloys uses extend beyond aerospace applications:

• Cutting tools and dies that require sustained sharpness and durability
• Structural components in high-stress mechanical systems
• Heat exchangers operating under corrosive conditions
• Valve seats in automotive and industrial engines

Cobalt compounds serve a different but equally critical function as chemical catalysts. In petroleum refining, cobalt catalysts facilitate hydrodesulfurization processes, removing sulfur compounds from crude oil to produce cleaner fuels. The synthetic fuel industry depends on cobalt-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts to convert carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons.

You'll also encounter cobalt catalysts in environmental applications. They accelerate oxidation reactions in wastewater treatment facilities, breaking down organic pollutants into harmless compounds. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, cobalt compounds catalyze specific chemical reactions that would otherwise require extreme conditions or produce unwanted byproducts. The chemical stability of cobalt at elevated temperatures makes these catalysts particularly effective in industrial-scale production processes where consistent performance under harsh conditions determines economic viability.

4.2 Cobalt in Energy Storage Technologies

Cobalt transforms lithium-ion batteries from functional to exceptional. When you examine the cathode chemistry of modern electric vehicles, you'll find NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) configurations dominating the market—and cobalt plays the starring role in this performance.

Energy Density Enhancement

Cobalt's atomic structure allows for higher voltage operations within battery cells. This translates directly to more energy packed into the same physical space. A typical EV battery contains several kilograms of cobalt, enabling driving ranges that make electric vehicles practical for daily use. You get more miles per charge because cobalt facilitates efficient electron transfer during charge and discharge cycles.

Safety and Thermal Stability

The element's thermal conductivity properties prevent dangerous temperature spikes during rapid charging or high-power discharge. Cobalt-containing cathodes maintain structural integrity even under stress, reducing the risk of thermal runaway—a critical safety concern in battery technology. This stability extends to chemical reactions within the cell, where cobalt helps maintain the cathode's layered structure throughout thousands of charge cycles.

Extended Battery Lifespan

You'll notice cobalt's impact on battery longevity through reduced capacity fade. The element minimizes unwanted side reactions that degrade battery performance over time, allowing lithium-ion batteries in EVs to retain 80% or more of their original capacity after years of use.

4.3 Cobalt's Contribution to Sustainable Mobility Solutions

The transformation of the automotive industry heavily relies on cobalt's role in electric vehicle batteries. Each EV contains several kilograms of cobalt within its battery pack, directly enabling the extended driving ranges and rapid charging capabilities that make electric vehicles practical alternatives to traditional combustion engines. Cobalt is used in the NMC cathodes that power millions of electric vehicles worldwide, supporting the global shift away from fossil fuel dependency.

Cobalt's Impact on Electric Vehicle Batteries

• Extended Driving Ranges: The inclusion of cobalt in battery technology allows for higher energy density, resulting in longer distances that electric vehicles can travel on a single charge.
• Rapid Charging Capabilities: Cobalt-based batteries have the ability to accept higher charging currents, significantly reducing the time required to recharge an electric vehicle.

Cobalt's Role in Sustainable Transport Infrastructure

In addition to its importance in batteries, cobalt-based superalloys are crucial for sustainable transport infrastructure. These materials exhibit outstanding resistance to heat and corrosion in jet engines and industrial turbines, leading to improved fuel efficiency and decreased emissions in aviation and power generation. The aerospace industry utilizes cobalt in landing mechanisms, heat dissipation systems, and structural components that endure extreme conditions during space exploration missions.

Cobalt's Contribution to Electric Motor Manufacturing

Nickel-cobalt alloys are utilized in the production of electric motors, where their magnetic characteristics and durability guarantee dependable performance in EV drivetrains. This wide-ranging application of cobalt establishes it as a vital element for constructing comprehensive sustainable mobility ecosystems.

5. Beyond Industry: Cobalt's Artistic Side

Cobalt's influence extends far beyond batteries and industrial machinery into the realm of art and design. The element's most celebrated contribution to creative fields is cobalt blue pigment, a vivid, stable color that has captivated artists for centuries.

Cobalt Blue Through the Ages

Dating back to ancient civilizations, cobalt compounds created the brilliant blue hues in Egyptian pottery and Chinese porcelain. During the Renaissance, artists prized cobalt blue for its intensity and permanence, using it in paintings that retain their vibrancy centuries later. You'll find this pigment in masterpieces throughout art history, from medieval illuminated manuscripts to contemporary canvases.

Versatile Applications of Cobalt Blue Pigment

The cobalt blue pigment applications in art demonstrate remarkable versatility:

• Glassmaking: Cobalt oxide produces the distinctive deep blue in stained glass windows and decorative glassware
• Ceramics and tiles: Artists rely on cobalt's heat stability to create durable, fade-resistant designs on pottery and architectural tiles
• Porcelain decoration: The famous blue-and-white porcelain patterns depend on cobalt compounds that withstand high firing temperatures
• Industrial design: Modern designers incorporate cobalt pigments in everything from automotive finishes to consumer electronics

The Enduring Brilliance of Cobalt Blue

What sets cobalt blue apart is its exceptional color stability. Unlike many pigments that fade or degrade, cobalt-based colors maintain their brilliance when exposed to light, heat, and chemical reactions. This durability makes cobalt an essential component in both fine art conservation and contemporary industrial applications where lasting visual impact matters.

Additionally, recent studies have also explored the potential of cobalt in various fields, further highlighting its versatility beyond traditional uses.

6. Challenges Ahead: Supply Risks and Geopolitical Considerations Affecting Cobalt Availability

The Democratic Republic of Congo controls approximately 70% of global cobalt production, creating significant supply risks that threaten the stability of industries dependent on this critical material. This concentration makes the entire supply chain vulnerable to disruptions from political instability, regulatory changes, and infrastructure challenges in a single region.

Geopolitical tensions amplify these concerns. Trade disputes, export restrictions, and shifting alliances can rapidly transform cobalt availability and pricing. When planning long-term projects involving battery technologies or advanced manufacturing, these uncertainties become critical risk factors that cannot be ignored.

The automotive sector's explosive growth compounds the pressure. Electric vehicle manufacturers require several kilograms of cobalt per vehicle, and global EV production continues accelerating. Energy transition priorities push demand even higher as grid-scale storage systems and renewable energy infrastructure expand worldwide.

Key supply challenges include:

• Limited geographic diversification of mining operations
• Extended timelines for developing new cobalt sources (5-10 years)
• Environmental and ethical concerns affecting mining expansion
• Competition between industries for available supply
• Price volatility impacting project economics

You're witnessing a race between surging demand and constrained supply. Companies are investing in recycling technologies, alternative battery chemistries, and diversified sourcing strategies to mitigate these supply risks affecting Cobalt in the Periodic Table: Properties and Uses across multiple sectors.

Interestingly, as we face these challenges with cobalt, we should also consider the roles of other metals like chromium and zinc. These metals have significant uses in various industries and could potentially serve as alternatives or supplements in certain applications. For instance, Stanislav Kondrashov recently highlighted the importance of chromium in a transitioning world where its rich reserves in Kazakhstan position it as a key player in the global supply of this metal.