title: Metallurgical evaluation of a copper-based alloy for dental castings.
abstract: The present study was designed to evaluate the metallurgical properties of an experimental, low-cost copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel alloy for dental castings. Some specimens were subjected to heat treatment after induction casting. The extent of corrosion was determined by measuring weight loss of specimens stored in a sodium sulfite solution. In the as-cast specimens, tests demonstrated the presence of three phases: the first consisted of copper-zinc-aluminum, the second was similar but lower in copper and aluminum, and the third consisted of an intermetallic compound of manganese-nickel-phosphorus. After heat treatment, the first phase remained relatively constant, the second was converted to Cu3Al, and the third increased in volume. The weight loss from the as-cast specimens was eight times that of the heat-treated specimens. It was concluded that the heat treatment substantially changed the microstructure and improved the corrosion resistance of the experimental alloy.
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Institute, Julio de Mesquita Filho University (UNESP), Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Guastaldi
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Lacefield
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Leinfelder
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mondelli
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry*; D003343:Corrosion; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008422:Materials Testing; D008669:Metallurgy
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D003300:Copper