Evaluation of Ti-Cr-Cu alloys for dental applications

This study examined the characteristics of as-cast Ti-Cr(7–19%)-Cu(3–7%) (all percentages in this article are mass%) alloys to evaluate their suitability for dental applications; studies on the alloy structures and mechanical properties, grindability, and corrosion behavior were included in the investigation. The alloys were centrifugally cast and bench-cooled in investment molds. The x-ray diffractometry of the as-cast alloys bench-cooled in the molds indicated the following phases: α+β+ω in the 7% Cr and 7% Cr+3% Cu; β+ω in the 13%Cr; and β in the 13%Cr+3% Cu through the 19%Cr+3% Cu alloys. The strengths of the binary β Ti-Cr and ternary β Ti-Cr-Cu alloys with 13 and 19% Cr were approximately two times higher than those of CP Ti. The alloy ductility was dependent on the chemical composition and thus, the microstructure. The 7% Cr alloys were extremely brittle and hard due to the ω phase, but the ductility was restored in the 13 and 19% Cr alloys. The hardness (HV) of the cast 13 and 19% Cr alloys was approximately 300–350 compared with a value of 200 for CP Ti. The grindability of the cast alloys was examined using a rotating SiC wheel at speeds (circumferential) of 500 and 1250 m/min. At the higher speed, the grindability of the 13 and 19% Cr alloys increased with the Cu content. The grindability of the 13% Cr alloy with 7% Cu was similar to that of CP Ti. Evaluation of the corrosion behavior in an artificial saliva revealed that the alloys are like many other titanium alloys within the normal intraoral oxidation potential. The wear resistance testing of these alloys also showed favorable results. This paper was presented at the Beta Titanium Alloys of the 00’s Symposium by the Titanium Committee of TMS, held during the 2005 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, February 13–16, 2005 in San Francisco, CA.     

The effect of fluoride on the electrochemical behavior of Ti and some of its alloys for dental applications

Titanium is the best metal for making dental implants and restorations. In the last decade, new titanium alloys have been developed in different areas of dentistry. Concurrently, treatments using fluoride supplementation, such as odontology fluoride containing gels, have also been widely used in odontology. The aim of this study is to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of a new titanium alloy containing Cu and Ag, in fluoride‐containing media, and compare it with the behavior of Ti and Ti6Al4V, which are used frequently as biomaterials. Open circuit potential, polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed that the corrosion resistance of titanium and its alloys is controlled by the fluoride ion concentration and the pH of the solution. The presence of F^? ions in neutral solution does not hinder the formation of a protective layer of Ti and its alloys. Thus, the corrosion resistance of Ti is maintained in this medium. However, the corrosion of Ti and its alloys are enhanced in an acidic environment, because F^? ions in the solution combines with H⁺ ion to form HF, even in low fluoride concentration.     

The electrochemical behaviour of dental amalgam alloys

The anodic and cathodic behaviour of a dental amalgam alloy in artificial saliva has been studied using galvanostatic techniques. The different intermetallic compounds as well as separate metals are indicated by steps or breaks in the anodic polarization or cathodic polarization curves or both.     

New applications for tantalum and tantalum alloys

High-strength tantalum alloy usage has been limited since the cancellation of the manned space-power program in 1969. Yet, because of its unique combination of mechanical properties, fabricability, and high melting temperature, certain tantalum alloys are still used in applications where no other material is suitable, primarily for applications in the electronics industry. For more information, contact R.W. Buckman, Jr., Refractory Metals Technology, P.O. Box 10055, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15236; (412) 653-0940; fax (412) 653-0940; e-mail rmtbuckman@juno.com. Author’s Note: All compositions are in weight percent unless otherwise indicated.     

The development of Nb-based advanced intermetallic alloys for structural applications

A new generation of refractory material systems with significant increases in temperature capability is required to meet the demands of future aerospace applications. Such materials require a balance of properties such as low-temperature damage tolerance, high-temperature strength, creep resistance, and superior environmental stability for implementation in advanced aerospace systems. Systems incorporating niobium-based beta alloys and intermetallic compounds have the potential for meeting these requirements.     

The environmental stability of boron-containing titanium alloys for biomedical applications

Musculoskeletal and craniofacial implants, and their interactions with the human body, are a very important area of medicine today. Aging populations and rapidly escalating health care costs make the study of implant-body interactions increasingly urgent. One of the major impediments to long-term durability of implant materials is the issue of aseptic loosening, i.e., inflammatory response against the prosthetic metal and metal debris produced by its corrosion. In this research summary, we discuss the corrosion behavior of a new class of boron-containing titanium alloys in physiologically relevant media. In addition, the suitability of these alloys from a mechanical perspective will also be discussed along with implications for alloy design.     

The development of 5XXX aluminum alloys for RCS applications

The material characteristics necessary for making aluminum ends for beverage cans have changed dramatically as the industry has evolved over the past 30 years. This article traces the evolution of alloys used in end-stock applications from the 1950s to the present. Early experiences with H19 rigid-container sheet alloys that resulted in the development of alloy 5182 are reviewed, with emphasis on work-hardening and partial-annealing behavior. Changes in the industry, particularly coil coating and new end designs, that drove metallurgical changes to the product are discussed.     

Vanadium alloys for fusion reactor applications

Fusion reactors will produce a severe operating environment for structural materials. The material should have good mechanical strength and ductility to high temperature, be corrosion resistant to the local environment, have attractive thermophysical properties to accommodate high heat loads, and be resistant to neutron damage. Vanadium alloys are being developed for such applications, and they exhibit desirable properties in many areas. Recent progress in vanadium alloy development indicates good strength and ductility to 700°C, minimal degradation by neutron irradiation, and reduced radioactivity compared with other candidate alloy systems.     

NiAl alloys for high-temperature structural applications

If their properties can be improved, nickel aluminide alloys offer significant payoffs in gas turbine engine applications. For these materials, excellent progress has been made toward understanding their mechanical behavior as well as improving their low-temperature ductility and high-temperature strength. For example, recent work shows that room-temperature ductility can be improved dramatically by microalloying with iron, gallium or molybdenum. The next challenge is to develop an alloy which has the required balance of ductility, toughness and strength. Development of design and test methodologies for components made out of low-ductility, anisotropic materials will also be required. While significant challenges remain, the continuing developments suggest that the prognosis for using NiAl alloys as high-temperature structural materials is good.     

The effectiveness of oxides in reducing sliding wear of alloys

During like-on-like reciprocating sliding in air (amplitude 2.5 mm, load 1.5 kg, speed 500 double traversais per minute), the formation of oxides can have considerable influence on the friction and wear characteristics of high-temperature alloys, such as Jethete M152 and Rex 535. In particular, above a certain transition temperature, between 200 and 300°C for these alloys under these conditions, an adherent, smooth wear-protective oxide layer is developed on the load-bearing surfaces. At lower temperatures, oxide debris reduces the extent of metal-metal contact, thereby reducing the friction and wear rate, but does not eliminate it completely. The oxide debris is produced by two processes; one involves transient oxidation of the metal surfaces, removal of such oxide during each transversal, and reoxidation of the exposed metal; the other involves the formation, fracture, comminution, and oxidation of metal debris particles. At temperatures above the transition temperature, the oxide debris is compacted and comminuted between the sliding surfaces to develop the wear-protective oxide layer. This paper considers the reasons for the effectiveness of such oxides in terms of the influence of the hydrostatic pressures generated on plastic deformation of the very fine oxide particles or asperities in the surface. The resulting friction during sliding is less than during metal-metal contact because only limited asperity junction growth occurs before the asperities become sufficiently large and the hydrostatic pressures sufficiently reduced to allow fracture within the oxide-oxide junctions. The oxide-wear debris produced is recompacted into the surface, resulting in only very low wear rates. It has been shown that the number of asperity-asperity contacts during sliding of wear-protective oxide layers is relatively high, typically 5×10³/mm² of apparent contact area, while the mean surface flash temperature rise is low, typically 2°C. Consideration is given to some of the conditions that favor development of wear-protective oxide layers.     

Military applications for β titanium alloys

Beta alloys are potentially useful for several types of nonaerospace military applications. The potential applications to be discussed in this article include armor, body armor, mortar barrels, and missile launch canisters. This paper was presented at the Beta Titanium Alloys of the 00’s Symposium sponsored by the Titanium Committee of TMS, held during the 2005 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition, February 13–16, 2005 in San Francisco, CA.     

Advanced lightweight alloys for aerospace applications

The design requirements of the next generation of advanced aerospace vehicles and propulsion systems necessitate the development of structural materials with properties vastly superior to those which are currently achievable. Recognizing that each class of materials possesses its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages, the designers of tomorrow’s aircraft must choose wisely from the plethora of available alloys.     

轻合金钎焊用钎料变质处理研究进展

添加合金元素并利用合金元素的变质作用是提高合金性能最行之有效的方法.分析了轻合金钎焊的特点和存在的问题,指出合金元素对镁合金、铝合金及钛合金钎焊用钎料合金具有显著的变质作用,着重讨论了合金元素对钎料润湿性和钎焊接头性能的影响,并对轻合金钎焊材料的发展趋势进行了展望.     

Fe-Cr-B-C堆焊合金的显微组织及耐磨性

采用药芯焊丝埋弧堆焊方法制备含有C0.5%～0.7%,Cr9%～12%,B0%～2.25%(质量分数)的堆焊合金。借助光学显微镜、扫描电镜、X射线衍射和微区EDS分析等手段研究其显微组织及分布形貌。结果表明,其显微组织由铁素体+奥氏体+马氏体+硼化物((Fe,Cr)2B,(Fe,Cr)23(C,B)6,(Fe,Cr)B和(Fe,Cr)3(B,C))等组成,硼化物呈条状、菊花状、块状甚至蜂窝状等形态,不同硼化物数量及其分布形态随硼含量而改变,其中最为典型是(Fe,Cr)23(C,B)6呈菊花状并聚集分布。另外,考察了硼含量对Fe-10Cr-xB-0.6C堆焊合金硬度及耐磨性的影响,耐磨粒磨损试验结果表明,高硼堆焊合金的磨损性优良,当聚集分布的硼化物数量过多,磨粒压入基体及其显微切削运动受到硼化物的有效阻碍,但部分硼化物脱落留下的空洞使其压入切削变易,这使得硼化物与基体的界面结合强度成为影响其耐磨性的一个重要甚至主导因素。