Evaluation of the new TAMZ titanium alloy for dental cast application.
OBJECTIVE
To reveal the potential of the new titanium alloy as dental prosthodontic materials.


METHODS
Dental castings of TAMZ alloy were investigated in the casting machine specially designed for titanium. A mesh pattern was used to count the castability value. The mechanical properties were measured by means of a universal testing machine. Optical micrography was done on the exposed cross-section of TAMZ alloy casting. From the surface to the inner part the Knoop hardness in reacted layer of TAMZ alloy casting was measured. The structure and elemental analyses of the reacted layer were made by SEM and element line scanning observation.


RESULTS
The castability value (Cv = 98%) and the tensile test (sigma b = 850 Mpa, sigma 0.2 = 575 Mpa, delta = 7.33%) data were collected. The castings microstructure showed main alpha phase and small beta phase. Knoop hardness in the surface reacted layer was greater than that in the inner part. From the SEM and element line scanning observation, there are three different layers in the surface reacted layer of the TAMZ alloy castings, and higher level of element of O, Al, Si and Zr were found in the reacted layer while the Si permeated deeper than others.


CONCLUSIONS
TAMZ alloy can be accepted as a material for dental alloy in prosthodontics.
Zhang
Y M
YM
Department of Prosthodontics, College of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU), Xian 710032, P. R. China. wqtzym#fmmu.edu.cn
Guo
T W
TW
Li
Z C
ZC
D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003734:Dental Casting Investment / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003735:Dental Casting Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D004548:Elasticity; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000737:chemistry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D012825:Silicon / Q000032:analysis; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014025:Titanium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D008982:Molybdenum; D015040:Zirconium; D000535:Aluminum; D014025:Titanium; D010100:Oxygen; D012825:Silicon