Study on the effect of soldering methods on the characteristics of the Ni-Cr alloy / 대한치과보철학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare Ni-Cr alloy property of gas-oxygen torch soldering and infrared welding using optical microscope and Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ni-Cr alloys were casted for specimens. Specimens had 3.0 mm diameter, 30.0 mm length and were divided into two groups. Each group had 4 specimens. One group was for gas-oxygen torch soldering and the other was infrared welding. Specimens were cut with low-speed disc and soldered each other with gas-oxygen torch and infrared machine. After soldering and polishing, specimens were observed at 3 points (soldering point, 5 mm distance point, 10 mm distance point) with optical microscope and analyzed 3 points (soldering point, 5 mm distance point, 10 mm distance point with EPMA. RESULTS: The results of this study were as follows: 1. The observation of gas-oxygen torch soldering at 10 mm distance point under the optical microscope was not founded any specific surface properties, but some crack lines were observed at 5 mm distance and soldering point. 2. There were no crack lines were founded at the observation of infrared welding at 10 mm distance and 5 mm distance points under the optical microscope. However, at the 5 mm distance, the surface was not smooth enough compared with at 10 mm distance point. Some crack lines were observed at the welding point as well. 3. In the EPMA analysis of the gas-oxygen torch soldering, the component of Ni was increased by 4.5%, Cr was increased by 7.5% than that of the Ni-Cr alloy at the 10.0 mm distance. At the 5 mm distance, the component of Ni was decreased by 6.1%, Mo was increased by 9.0% than that of the Ni-Cr alloy but Cr was equally shown at the 5.0 mm distance. Only Ni was shown at the soldering point. 4. In the EPMA analysis of the infrared welding, the component of Ni was increased by 9.1%, Cr was increased by 0.4% than that of the Ni-Cr alloy but Al was equal at the 10.0 mm distance. At the 5 mm distance, the component of Ni was increased by 4.7%, Cr was increased by 4.7% and Al was increased by 0.1% than that of the Ni-Cr alloy. At the welding point, the component of Ni was increased by 8.8%, Cr was increased by 8.2% than that of the Ni-Cr alloy. CONCLUSION: From these results, at the 5 mm distance from the soldering point, the surface of the infrared welding was more smoother than that of the gas-oxygen torch soldering. On the EPMA analysis, the component of the specimens with infrared welding was more similar than that of the gas-oxygen torch soldering compared with the component of the Ni-Cr alloy.

Microstructure, mechanical performance and corrosion properties of base metal solder joints.

Context: Alloys have been considered to be of paramount importance in the field of prosthodontics. Long span prosthesis may often require joining of one or more individual castings to obtain better fit, occlusal harmony and esthetics in comparison to one-piece casting. Aim: This study was undertaken to evaluate the mechanical properties of base metal alloys joined by two different techniques, namely, gas oxygen torch soldering and laser fusion, compared to a one-piece casting. Mechanical properties evaluated were tensile strength, percentage of elongation and hardness of the solder joint. In addition, corrosion properties and scanning electron microscopic appearance of the joints were also evaluated. Materials and Methods: The samples were prepared according to American Society for Testing Materials specifications (ASTM, E8). Specimens were made with self-cure acrylic and then invested in phosphate-bonded investment material. Casting was done in induction casting machine. Thirty specimens were thus prepared for each group and compared with 30 specimens of the one-piece casting group. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software (version 10.0, Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. ANOVA and Benferroni post hoc tests were done for multiple comparisons between the groups and within the groups for mean difference and standard error. Results: Results showed that tensile strength of the one-piece casting was higher than laser fused and gas oxygen torch soldered joints. Laser fused joints exhibited higher hardness values compared to that of gas oxygen torch soldered joints. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed greater porosity in the gas oxygen torch soldered joints. This contributed to the reduction in the strength of the joint. Gas oxygen torch soldered joints showed less corrosion resistance when compared to laser fused joints and one-piece casting. Conclusion: Laser fusion, which is a recent introduction to the field of prosthodontics, produces joints which have properties between those of one-piece casting and the gas oxygen torch soldering.

Effect of soldering techniques and gap distance on tensile strength of soldered Ni-Cr alloy joint

PURPOSE: The present study was intended to evaluate the effect of soldering techniques with infrared ray and gas torch under different gap distances (0.3 mm and 0.5 mm) on the tensile strength and surface porosity formation in Ni-Cr base metal alloy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty five dumbbell shaped Ni-Cr alloy specimens were prepared and assigned to 5 groups according to the soldering method and the gap distance. For the soldering methods, gas torch (G group) and infrared ray (IR group) were compared and each group was subdivided by corresponding gap distance (0.3 mm: G3 and IR3, 0.5 mm: G5, IR5). Specimens of the experimental groups were sectioned in the middle with a diamond disk and embedded in solder blocks according to the predetermined distance. As a control group, 7 specimens were prepared without sectioning or soldering. After the soldering procedure, a tensile strength test was performed using universal testing machine at a crosshead speed 1 mm/min. The proportions of porosity on the fractured surface were calculated on the images acquired through the scanning electronic microscope. RESULTS: Every specimen of G3, G5, IR3 and IR5 was fractured on the solder joint area. However, there was no significant difference between the test groups (P > .05). There was a negative correlation between porosity formation and tensile strength in all the specimens in the test groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in ultimate tensile strength of joints and porosity formations between the gas-oxygen torch soldering and infrared ray soldering technique or between the gap distance of 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm.