Yukyo Takada

Mechanical properties and microstructures of cast Ti–Cu alloys

OBJECTIVES This study evaluated the mechanical properties of cast Ti-Cu alloys with the hope of developing an alloy for dental casting with better mechanical properties than unalloyed titanium. METHODS Ti-Cu alloys with five concentrations of copper (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mass%) were made in an argon-arc melting furnace. The alloys were cast into magnesia-based molds using a centrifugal casting machine. The microstructure, microhardness profile of the specimen cross section, tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation were determined for the castings. Scanning electron microscope fractography was undertaken for the fractured surfaces after tensile testing. XRD was performed on the polished specimens. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Student-Newman-Keuls tests. RESULTS The mean tensile strengths of all the cast Ti-Cu alloys were significantly (p<0.05) higher than for cast commercially pure titanium (CP Ti). Of the Ti-Cu alloys tested, the 5 and 10% Cu alloys had significantly higher strength than the rest. The 10% Cu alloy exhibited the lowest mean elongation. CP Ti and the 0.5 and 1% Cu alloys showed higher ductility. The bulk hardness of all the cast Ti-Cu alloys, except for the 10% Cu alloy, and CP Ti was approximately the same. SIGNIFICANCE By alloying with copper, the cast titanium became stronger. Increases in the tensile strength (30%) and yield strength (40%) over CP Ti were obtained for the 5% Cu alloy. Elongation was approximately 3%, which was similar to cast Ti-6Al-4V. Ti-Cu alloys, such as the 5% Cu alloy, could be used for prosthetic dental applications if other properties necessary for dental castings are obtained.

Grindability of cast Ti -Cu alloys

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the grindability of a series of cast Ti-Cu alloys in order to develop a titanium alloy with better grindability than commercially pure titanium (CP Ti), which is considered to be one of the most difficult metals to machine. METHODS Experimental Ti-Cu alloys (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mass% Cu) were made in an argon-arc melting furnace. Each alloy was cast into a magnesia mold using a centrifugal casting machine. Cast alloy slabs (3.5 mm x 8.5 mm x 30.5 mm), from which the hardened surface layer (250 microm) was removed, were ground using a SiC abrasive wheel on an electric handpiece at four circumferential speeds (500, 750, 1000, or 1250 m/min) at 0.98 N (100 gf). Grindability was evaluated by measuring the amount of metal volume removed after grinding for 1min. Data were compared to those for CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. RESULTS For all speeds, Ti-10% Cu alloy exhibited the highest grindability. For the Ti-Cu alloys with a Cu content of 2% or less, the highest grindability corresponded to an intermediate speed. It was observed that the grindability increased with an increase in the Cu concentration compared to CP Ti, particularly for the 5 or 10% Cu alloys at a circumferential speed of 1000 m/min or above. SIGNIFICANCE By alloying with copper, the cast titanium exhibited better grindability at high speed. The continuous precipitation of Ti(2)Cu among the alpha-matrix grains made this material less ductile and facilitated more effective grinding because small broken segments more readily formed.

Bond strength of binary titanium alloys to porcelain

The purpose of this study was to investigate the bond strength between porcelain and experimental cast titanium alloys. Eleven binary titanium alloys were examined: Ti-Cr (15, 20, 25 wt%), Ti-Pd (15, 20, 25 wt%), Ti-Ag (10, 15, 20 wt%), and Ti-Cu (5, 10 wt%). As controls, the bond strengths for commercially pure titanium (KS-50, Kobelco, Japan) and a high noble gold alloy (KIK, Ishifuku, Japan) were also examined. Castings were made using a centrifugal casting unit (Ticast Super R, Selec Co., Japan). Commercial porcelain for titanium (TITAN, Noritake, Japan) was applied to cast specimens. The bond strengths were evaluated using a three-point bend test according to ISO 9693. Since the elastic modulus value is needed to evaluate the bond strength, the modulus was measured for each alloy using a three-point bend test. Results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA/S-N-K test (alpha = 0.05). Although the elastic moduli of the Ti-Pd alloys were significantly lower than those of other alloys (p = 0.0001), there was a significant difference in bond strength only between the Ti-25Pd and Ti-15Ag alloys (p = 0.009). The strengths determined for all the experimental alloys ranged from 29.4 to 37.2MPa, which are above the minimum value required by the ISO specification (25 MPa).

Mold filling of titanium alloys in two different wedge-shaped molds

Pure titanium and titanium alloys are potential materials for the fabrication of cast dental appliances. One important factor in producing sound castings is the capacity of the metal to fill the mold. This study used a wedge-shaped mold to compare the mold filling of titanium with that of conventional dental casting alloys. The metals used were CP Ti, Ti-6Al-7Nb, Ti-6Al-4V, Ti with 1 and 4wt% Cu and ADA Type III gold alloy and an Ni-Cr alloy. The castings were cut into four pieces parallel to the triangular surface. Mold filling was evaluated as the distance between the tip of the cast wedge and theoretical tip of the triangle. The mold filling of the gold alloy was superior compared to all the metals tested, while the mold filling of the Ni-Cr alloy was the worst. There were no statistical differences at the 30 degrees marginal angle for all the cast titanium metals. At the sharper 15 degrees angle, CP Ti and Ti-6Al-7Nb was superior to both the Ti-Cu alloys. Although the mold filling of titanium was inferior compared to the gold alloy, the data justify the use of titanium for the production of dental appliances.

Gene transfection of human mesenchymal stem cells with a nano-hydroxyapatite-collagen scaffold containing DNA-functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticles.

This study aimed to fabricate a growth factor‐releasing biodegradable scaffold for tissue regeneration. We prepared multishell calcium phosphate (CaP) nanoparticles functionalized with DNA, polyethyleneimine (PEI), protamine and octa‐arginine (R8) and compared their respective transfection activity and cell viability measures using human mesenchymal stem cells. DNA–protamine complexes improved the transfection efficiency of CaP nanoparticles with the exception of those functionalized with R8. These complexes also greatly reduced the cytotoxicity of PEI. In addition, we also fabricated DNA–protamine‐functionalized CaP nanoparticle‐loaded nano‐hydroxyapatite–collagen scaffolds and investigated their gene transfection efficiencies. These experiments showed that the scaffolds were associated with moderate hMSC cell viability and were capable of releasing the BMP‐2 protein into hMSCs following gene transfection. In particular, the scaffold loaded with protamine‐containing CaP nanoparticles showed the highest cell viability and transfection efficiency in hMSCs; thus, it might be suitable to serve as an efficient growth factor‐releasing scaffold.

Preparation and in vivo evaluation of apatite/collagen packed composite by alternate immersion method and Newton press

Further development of bio-compatible, bio-absorbable, and osteo-conductive bio-materials is desired for bone grafts in dental and medical clinics. One candidate material might be a high-density apatite/collagen composite, which cures relatively large bone defects. To produce such a composite, we freeze-dried type I collagen solution, cross-linked the formed sponge by 2 wt % glutaraldehyde, immersed the insoluble sponge in CaCl(2) and Na(2)HPO(4) solutions alternately five times, and compacted the sponge by Newton press at 5000 kgf. For comparison, cross-linked collagen without alternate immersion was also pressed. SEM/EPMA, XRD, and FTIR analyses clarified that alternate immersion successfully coated the collagen sponge with hydroxyapatite. Packed apatite/collagen composite and collagen disks 6 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in height were implanted in the subperiostea of rabbit tibiae for 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks to assess bio-compatibility, bio-absorbability, and osteo-conductivity. Histological observations showed that the packed apatite/collagen composite was biocompatible, osteo-conductive for up to 8 weeks, and largely bio-absorbed at 12 weeks, while the packed collagen sponge caused an undesirable foreign body reaction, which worsened with the implantation period. The overall findings suggest that this packed apatite/collagen composite might be used as a new bio-absorbable bone graft material.

Mechanical properties of dental Ti-Ag alloys with 22.5, 25, 27.5, and 30 mass% Ag.

The mechanical properties -tensile strength, yield strength, elongation after fracture, Vickers hardness, and Youngs modulus-and the phases of Ti-Ag alloys were investigated, as prepared with 22.5, 25, 27.5, and 30 mass% Ag. The tensile strength, yield strength, hardness, and Youngs modulus of the alloys increase with their Ag content up to 25 mass%, but their breaking elongation decreases. These changes in the mechanical properties are attributed to solid-solution strengthening of the α-titanium phase, to Ti2Ag precipitation, and to the formation of eutectic structures composed of α+Ti2Ag. The addition of Ag, at 25 mass% in particular, improves the mechanical properties of these alloys, making them suitable for high strength dental prostheses, such as implantretained superstructures and narrow-diameter implants.

Released ions and microstructures of dental cast experimental Ti-Ag alloys

This study is an examination of the released ions from dental cast experimental Ti-Ag alloys by an immersion test. Ti-Ag alloys (5–25mass%Ag) and pure titanium (control) were cast into magnesia molds; the hardened surface layer was then removed. After each specimen was immersed in aerated 0.9% NaCl or 1% lactic acid solution at 37°C for 7 days, released ions were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma. Cast Ti-Ag alloys with Ag ≤ 20% formed a single α structure. Ti and Ag ions were not detected from the alloys and pure titanium in the NaCl solution. The microstructures of cast Ti-Ag alloys with 22.5% Ag and 25% Ag consisted of α + intermetallic compounds (Ti2Ag or Ti2Ag + TiAg). A small amount of Ti and Ag ions was detected from some of the 22.5% Ag and 25% Ag specimens in the NaCl solution. The preferential dissolution of parts of the intermetallic compounds was observed in the specimens after the test. In the lactic acid solution, a significantly smaller amount of Ti ions was released from all the Ti-Ag alloys than from pure titanium. Ag ions were not detected. The intermetallic compounds remained on the specimen surfaces after the test in the lactic acid solution.

Corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of a dental magnetic attachment

A dental magnetic attachment is used for over-dentures, removable partial dentures, and orthodontic and maxillofacial prostheses. The dental magnetic attachment is composed of a magnetic assembly and a keeper. The magnetic attractive force between the magnetic assembly and the keeper is used as the retention. The magnetic assembly is composed of a small Nd—Fe—B magnet that is covered within a magnetic stainless steel yoke and a non-magnetic stainless steel spacer. The keeper is also made of magnetic stainless steel. The yoke of the magnet assembly and the keeper form a closed magnetic circuit, which is necessary to concentrate on the magnetic flux and make efficient use of it. The covering nonmagnetic stainless steel and magnetic stainless steel yoke are welded seamlessly using micro-laser to protect the magnet from corrosion. In an oral cavity, the keepers and the magnetic assemblies are contacted with root caps made of dental precious alloys. It is important to examine the galvanic corrosion behavior of those stainless steels with dental precious alloys from the electrochemical properties and released ions. The dental magnetic attachment was implanted in rabbit tibia to investigate the influence of the static magnetic flux on hard tissue.

Machinability of an experimental Ti-Ag alloy in terms of tool life in a dental CAD/CAM system.

Titanium is difficult to machine because of its intrinsic properties. In a previous study, the machinability of titanium was improved by alloying with silver. This study aimed to evaluate the durability of tungsten carbide burs after the fabrication of frameworks using a Ti-20%Ag alloy and titanium with a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system. There was a significant difference in attrition area ratio between the two metals. Compared with titanium, the ratio of the area of attrition of machining burs was significantly lower for the experimental Ti-20%Ag alloy. The difference in the area of attrition for titanium and Ti-20%Ag became remarkable with increasing number of machining operations. The results show that the same burs can be used for a longer time with Ti-20%Ag than with pure titanium. Therefore, in terms of tool life, the machinability of the Ti-20%Ag alloy is superior to that of titanium.