CoCr or titanium: which metal CAD/CAM disc should your lab choose?

Short answer: the Co-Cr-Mo disc (MESA MAGNUM SOLARE) is the versatile choice for crown and bridge frameworks veneered with conventional porcelain-fused-to-metal ceramics, and it is dry-milled. The titanium Grade 23 disc (MESA MAGNUM HYPERONE) is chosen when low weight, high yield strength and biocompatibility matter most, primarily for implant-supported frameworks and custom abutments.

Both materials are Type 4 alloys according to ISO 22674 and are supplied as discs in the same format (Ø 98.5 mm, heights from 8 to 22 mm), so the decision is driven not by the machine format but by the indication, the ceramic system and your milling capabilities. Below we present the manufacturer's technical data and practical recommendations to help you choose.

How Co-Cr-Mo and titanium Grade 23 differ

SOLARE is a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy. It is dense (8.4 g/cm³), fairly hard (255 HV10), and its coefficient of thermal expansion (14.3–14.5 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) is tailored to metal-ceramics. The manufacturer states that the disc is intended for dry milling, so no coolant is required.

HYPERONE is a titanium Grade 23 alloy (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) whose composition meets ASTM F136, the specification for titanium used in implantology. ELI (extra low interstitial) means a very low content of interstitial impurities, making the material ductile and corrosion-resistant. Its density is just 4.43 g/cm³, roughly half that of Co-Cr, while its yield strength (880 MPa) is more than twice as high. It contains no nickel, cadmium or beryllium.

Technical data comparison

Data from the manufacturer, MESA Italia. The exact list of heights and prices incl. VAT are shown on the product pages.

Indications: when to choose which disc

SOLARE (Co-Cr-Mo): when the work will be ceramic-veneered

• single crowns and longer-span bridges, with or without ceramic veneering;
• implant-supported restorations where classic porcelain-fused-to-metal has been chosen;
• labs whose milling machines are not set up for wet milling: dry milling simplifies the workflow.

HYPERONE (titanium): when weight, strength and biocompatibility matter

• implant-supported frameworks and bars with a large restoration volume: lower density means a lighter prosthesis;
• custom implant abutments and other components that require high yield strength;
• patients for whom nickel should be avoided: HYPERONE contains no nickel, cadmium or beryllium.

HYPERONE rod (H7): for long-span restorations and machines using cylindrical blanks

The MESA MAGNUM HYPERONE rod is the same Ti Grade 23 alloy in the form of a round rod, manufactured to H7 tolerance so it fits precisely in holders. It is intended for machines working with cylindrical blanks and for milling longer implant bars and frameworks.

Milling considerations

• Co-Cr-Mo (SOLARE): the manufacturer specifies the disc for dry milling. Its 255 HV10 hardness and good machinability help maintain accurate framework geometry, but Co-Cr still wears tools faster than non-metallic materials, so plan bur changes according to the machine manufacturer's recommendations.
• Titanium (HYPERONE): use the titanium-specific strategies, burs and cooling mode provided by the machine and CAM software manufacturer. Titanium is a poor heat conductor, so incorrect parameters quickly overheat the tool and the blank.
• Tolerances: HYPERONE discs have a diameter and height tolerance of ±0.1 mm, and the rod is H7. This matters for precise blank clamping and for repeatable accuracy on implants.
• Choosing the height: choose the lowest height that accommodates the restoration including connectors and a safety margin; this saves material and milling time.

Compatibility with ceramics

The SOLARE coefficient of thermal expansion (14.3–14.5 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) falls within the range typical of Co-Cr metal-ceramics, so the alloy is intended for ceramic-veneered frameworks. Nevertheless, check the suitability of each porcelain for a specific alloy against the CTE range and firing program specified by the ceramic manufacturer.

MESA does not specify a coefficient of thermal expansion for titanium, and the titanium surface oxidizes differently from Co-Cr during firing. A titanium framework should therefore only be veneered with a ceramic system whose manufacturer explicitly states titanium compatibility, following its protocol. If you are planning classic metal-ceramics with a conventional porcelain, choose Co-Cr.

Other MESA alloys for the lab

If your lab still casts, the metal alloys collection includes MESA MAGNUM casting alloys:

• Nickel-free alloys for metal-ceramics: Ceramic Co (Co-Cr-W-Mo, Type 5), Splendidum (Cr-Co-W, Type 4), Lucens (Co-Cr-Nb with a low melting range, 1253–1304 °C).
• Ni-Cr-Mo for metal-ceramics: Ceramic S, Clarum and Saturno: easy-to-cast, ductile alloys.
• For partial dentures (cast frameworks): H50, HBA and VIP-A: Type 5 Cr-Co-Mo alloys with a hardness of 374–389 HV10.

The most common mistakes when choosing a metal disc

• Titanium "just in case". Titanium is not automatically the better choice. If the work will be veneered with conventional metal-ceramics and your machine has no titanium strategy, Co-Cr will be the simpler, more predictable and more economical solution.
• Not checking the porcelain CTE. Even with the right alloy, the porcelain must match the framework's coefficient of thermal expansion. A mismatch can lead to cracks or chipping of the ceramic, often only after several firings.
• A disc that is too tall. When milling metal, every unnecessary millimeter means longer milling and more tool wear. Choose the height according to the actual height of the restoration.
• Connector cross-sections that are too thin. High yield strength is no substitute for correct design: dimension connectors according to the alloy and ceramic manufacturers' recommendations.
• Inadequate surface preparation. Both Co-Cr and titanium framework surfaces are prepared before ceramic application according to the protocol of the chosen ceramic system; this step determines bond strength.

Practical checklist

1. What veneer will be used? Conventional metal-ceramics: Co-Cr; for titanium, only a ceramic system approved for titanium.
2. Is the restoration large and implant-supported? The greater the volume, the more you gain from titanium's density being half that of Co-Cr.
3. Does your machine have a titanium milling strategy and suitable cooling? If not, choose the dry-milled SOLARE.
4. Do you need a cylindrical blank? Then choose the HYPERONE rod with H7 tolerance.
5. Does the patient have a history of nickel sensitivity? HYPERONE contains no nickel.
6. Choose the disc height according to the tallest point of the restoration including connectors.

Not sure which alloy suits your machine and ceramics? Contact IMMT and we will help you choose the material and disc height for the specific case. You will find all MESA products on the MESA brand page.