Ni-Cr-Mo alloy for dental prostheses with low melting temperature

Abstract

Ni-Cr alloys are popular for dental prostheses for the reason of economy and few better characteristics in comparison to expensive gold based alloys. However, alloy developed locally has higher melting temperature around 1400 °C as compared to that of proprietary alloys. The Ni-Cr alloys contain major alloying elements in following range: 50-80 % Ni, 10-30 % Cr, 3-10 % Mo. Minor addition is made to have requisite properties suitable for dental prostheses. In this work investigation was carried out to find out optimum chemistry to have melting temperature of the alloy in the range of 1100-1200 °C without compromising the requisite mechanical and corrosion properties. Developed alloy was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope, XRF, Inductive Coupled Spark Plasma, Vickers Hardness Tester and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Results were analyzed and acceptable samples tested at dental laboratories for trial use and suitability for dental prostheses.