Author(s)

Tevfik Yavuz, Aslı Acar, Serhan Akman, Atiye Nilgun Ozturk

Department of Prosthodontics, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Department of Prosthodontics, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different surface treatments on the elemental composition stability of as-received and recast types of NiCr casting alloys. Material and Methods: Six commercial NiCr dental casting alloys (Kera N, Nodelco, Bellabond, Wiron 99, Metaplus VK, and Tritech D) were used in this study. Seventy-two specimens (12 × 12 × 1.2 mm) were produced using the lost-wax casting process. Three casting protocols were established in relation to the proportion of as-received and recast alloys: Group A (100% as-received metal), Group B (50 wt% new metal, 50 wt% once-recast metal), and Group C (100% once-recast metal). Two specimens in every group received two different surface treatments: sandblasting with 110 μmm Al2O3 or oxidation firing. An elemental analysis was performed with x-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Results were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and Tukey HSD tests. Results: The elemental composition was significantly different in the casting groups and treatment groups (p < 0.05). The lowest mean weight percentage Ni value was recorded for Group C and the highest for Group A. Aluminum-oxide sandblasting of the alloy surface reduced the mean weight percentage for Cr. Conclusion: Recasting metal alloys may adversely affect surface quality.

Recasting; Elemental Composition; NiCr Alloy

T. Yavuz, A. Acar, S. Akman and A. Ozturk, "Effect of Surface Treatment on Elemental Composition of Recast NiCr Alloy," Materials Sciences and Applications, Vol. 3 No. 3, 2012, pp. 163-167. doi: 10.4236/msa.2012.33025.