New method for divesting cobalt-chromium alloy castings: sandblasting with a mixed abrasive powder.
BACKGROUND
Because the conventional divesting method for cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys is laborious, a more convenient method is desirable.


OBJECTIVE
This study compared sandblasting with a mixed powder composed of aluminum oxide and glass beads to sandblasting with single powders (carborundum, aluminum oxide, and glass beads) when a Co-Cr casting was removed from the investment mold.


METHODS
Rectangular plates with the 2 surfaces simulating the inner and outer surfaces of a removable partial denture framework were fabricated with Co-Cr alloys. Four kinds of sandblasting powders were used to remove the remnants of investment molds. Total time (seconds) required for each procedure was measured, as was the surface roughness (Ra) of each specimen after sandblasting. SEM was used to analyze the powders themselves and the sandblasted specimen surfaces.


RESULTS
Glass beads alone and the mixed powder of aluminum oxide and glass beads generated a smoother surface compared with aluminum oxide and carborundum powders. The use of the mixed powder significantly reduced the time of the sandblasting procedure. SEM revealed that glass beads generated fewer scars, followed by the mixed powder and then aluminum oxide. The surface sandblasted by carborundum powder was always the roughest.


CONCLUSIONS
Sandblasting Co-Cr castings with the mixed powder effectively decreased treatment time and resulted in smooth, clinically acceptable casting surfaces.
Taga
Y
Y
Faculty of Dentistry, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
Kawai
K
K
Nokubi
T
T
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic / Q000737:chemistry; D002858:Chromium Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D003734:Dental Casting Investment / Q000737:chemistry*; D003735:Dental Casting Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003734:Dental Casting Investment; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; C022088:silicon carbide