ABSTRACT
The present work evaluates the effect of Co content on the microstructure and corrosion performance of Al-Co alloys of various compositions (2-32 wt% Co), fabricated by flux-assisted stir casting. A preliminary investigation on the effect of heat treatment (600 °C, up to 72 h) on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of Al-20 wt% Co and Al-32 wt% Co was also conducted. The Al- (2-10) wt% Co alloys were composed of acicular Al9Co2 particles uniformly dispersed in an Al matrix. The Al-20 wt% Co and Al-32 wt% Co alloys additionally contained Al13Co4 blades enveloped in Al9Co2 wedges. Heat treatment of Al-20 wt% Co and Al-32 wt% Co led to a significant reduction in the volume fraction of Al13Co4 and a decrease in hardness. Al-Co alloys with high Co content (10-32 wt% Co) exhibited greater resistance to localized corrosion in 3.5 wt% NaCl, but lower resistance to general corrosion compared to the (0-5 wt% Co) alloys. Heat treatment led to a slight increase in the corrosion resistance of the Al-Co alloys. The microstructure of the produced alloys was analyzed and correlated with the corrosion performance. Finally, corrosion mechanisms were formulated.
ABSTRACT
This study aims at evaluating the effect of simulating porcelain firing on the microstructure, corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of a Co-Cr-Mo alloy fabricated by Metal Soft Milling (MSM). Two groups of Co-28Cr-5Mo specimens (25 × 20 × 3 mm) were prepared by MSM: The as-sintered (AS) specimens and the post-fired (PF) specimens that were subjected to 5 simulating porcelain firing cycles without applying the ceramic mass onto their surface. Phase identification by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), microstructure examination by optical microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), corrosion testing by cyclic polarization and chronoamperometry in simulated body fluid (SBF), the latter test accompanied by Cr3+ and Cr6+ detection in the electrolyte through the 1.5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) method and UV/visible spectrophotometry, and mechanical testing by micro-/nano-indentation were conducted to evaluate the effect of the post-firing cycles on the properties of Co-Cr-Mo. The results were statistically analyzed by the t test (p < 0.05: statistically significant). All specimens had a mixed γ-fcc and ε-hcp cobalt-based microstructure with a dispersion of pores filled with SiO2 and a fine M23C6 intergranular presence. PF led to an increase in the ε-Co content and slight grain coarsening. Both AS and PF alloys showed high resistance to general and localized corrosion, whereas neither Cr6+ nor Cr3+ were detected during the passivity-breakdown stage. PF improved the mechanical properties of the AS-alloy, especially the indentation modulus and true hardness (statistically significant differences: p = 0.0009 and 0.006, respectively). MSM and MSM/simulating-porcelain firing have been proven trustworthy fabrication methods of Co-Cr-Mo substrates for metal-ceramic prostheses. Moreover, the post-firing cycles improve the mechanical behavior of Co-Cr-Mo, which is vital under the dynamically changing loads in the oral cavity, whereas they do not degrade the corrosion performance.
