Cobalt(II) fluoride Cobalt(II) fluoride Cobalt(II) fluoride is a chemical compound with the formula (CoF). It is a pink crystalline solid compound which is antiferromagnetic at low temperatures (T=37.7 K) The formula is given for both the red tetragonal crystal, (CoF), and the tetrahydrate red orthogonal crystal, (CoF·4HO). CoF is used in oxygen-sensitive fields, namely metal production. In low concentrations, it has public health uses. CoF is sparingly soluble in water. The compound can be dissolved in warm mineral acid, and will decompose in boiling water. Yet the hydrate is water-soluble, especially the di-hydrate CoF·2H O and tri-hydrate CoF·3HO forms of the compound.
Cobalt-60 intensity gamma-ray emitter with a relatively long half-life, 5.27 years, compared to other gamma ray sources of similar intensity. The β-decay energy is low and easily shielded; however, the gamma-ray emission lines have energies around 1.3 MeV, and are highly penetrating. The main uses for are: Cobalt has been discussed as a "salting" element to add to nuclear weapons, to produce a cobalt bomb, an extremely "dirty" weapon which would contaminate large areas with nuclear fallout, rendering them uninhabitable. In one hypothetical design, the tamper of the weapon would be made of . When the bomb exploded, the excess neutrons