Elwood Haynes' Early Stellite Cobalt-Chromium Alloy
A 1913 patent for a durable, corrosion-resistant metal alloy made primarily of cobalt and chromium, which laid the foundation for modern high-performance tools and medical implants.
Original patent title: “Metal alloy.”
A 1913 patent for a durable, corrosion-resistant metal alloy made primarily of cobalt and chromium, which laid the foundation for modern high-performance tools and medical implants. Granted to Individual in 1913 with 18 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a specific metal alloy composition primarily consisting of cobalt and chromium. By balancing these two elements, the alloy achieves exceptional hardness and resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. This combination allows the metal to maintain its structural integrity even under extreme heat, making it ideal for cutting tools and surgical instruments that must remain sharp and sterile.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover alloys lacking the specific cobalt-chromium balance defined in the original filing
- Does not cover modern superalloys that incorporate nickel or tungsten additives not specified in the 1913 claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
- Does not cover manufacturing processes like 3D printing or powder metallurgy used for modern Stellite parts
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
Haynes realized that by removing iron from the alloy, he could create a material that was not only harder than steel but also virtually immune to the rust and tarnish that plagued iron-based tools.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
High-speed industrial cutting tools
Surgical and dental instruments
Valve seats in high-performance combustion engines
Orthopedic implants
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This alloy, known commercially as Stellite, became a cornerstone of industrial manufacturing. It enabled the creation of high-speed cutting tools that could withstand the friction and heat of mass production, significantly increasing the efficiency of early 20th-century factories.
Filed
July 20, 1912
Granted
April 1, 1913
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The legacy of Haynes' work continues through companies like Kennametal and Deloro Stellite, which specialize in cobalt-based alloys for extreme environments. These firms have evolved the original chemistry to meet aerospace and medical standards.
Market impact
This patent helped establish the market for specialized, non-ferrous alloys. It transitioned industry standards away from simple carbon steels toward engineered materials designed for specific, high-stress environments.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a specific metal alloy composition primarily consisting of cobalt and chromium. By balancing these two elements, the alloy achieves exceptional hardness and resistance to oxidation and chemical corrosion. This combination allows the metal to maintain its structural integrity even under extreme heat, making it ideal for cutting tools and surgical instruments that must remain sharp and sterile.
The clever bit
Haynes realized that by removing iron from the alloy, he could create a material that was not only harder than steel but also virtually immune to the rust and tarnish that plagued iron-based tools.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover alloys lacking the specific cobalt-chromium balance defined in the original filing
- Does not cover modern superalloys that incorporate nickel or tungsten additives not specified in the 1913 claims
- Does not cover manufacturing processes like 3D printing or powder metallurgy used for modern Stellite parts
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
This patent is in the public domain
See the Freedom to Build guide — what is free to use, what is not, and how to cite this patent.
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
26/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$22K – $69K
Midpoint $43K · expired or expiring · industry ×2.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Haynes, E. (1913). Elwood Haynes' Early Stellite Cobalt-Chromium Alloy (U.S. Patent No. 1,057,423). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1057423/stellite-cobalt-alloy-haynes
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Elwood Haynes' Early Stellite Cobalt-Chromium Alloy cover?
A 1913 patent for a durable, corrosion-resistant metal alloy made primarily of cobalt and chromium, which laid the foundation for modern high-performance tools and medical implants.
Who owns patent US 1057423?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 1913.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 1057423 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 18 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This alloy, known commercially as Stellite, became a cornerstone of industrial manufacturing. It enabled the creation of high-speed cutting tools that could withstand the friction and heat of mass production, significantly increasing the efficiency of early 20th-century factories.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover alloys lacking the specific cobalt-chromium balance defined in the original filing
Same assignee
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