Effect of intermediate ZrO2-CaO coatings deposited by cold thermal spraying on the titanium-porcelain bond in dental restorations

Considerations on the Wear Behavior of Vacuum-Remelted ZrO2-Reinforced Self-Fluxing Ni-Based Thermally Sprayed Alloys

Without proper post-processing (often using flame, furnace, laser remelting, and induction) or reinforcements' addition, Ni-based flame-sprayed coatings generally manifest moderate adhesion to the substrate, high porosity, unmelted particles, undesirable oxides, or weak wear resistance and mechanical properties. The current research aimed to investigate the addition of ZrO₂ as reinforcement to the self-fluxing alloy coatings. Mechanically mixed NiCrBSi-ZrO₂ powders were thermally sprayed onto an industrially relevant high-grade steel. After thermal spraying, the samples were differently post-processed with a flame gun and with a vacuum furnace, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy showed a porosity reduction for the vacuum-heat-treated samples compared to that of the flame-post-processed ones. X-ray diffraction measurements showed differences in the main peaks of the patterns for the thermal processed samples compared to the as-sprayed ones, these having a direct influence on the mechanical behavior of the coatings. Although a slight microhardness decrease was observed in the case of vacuum-remelted samples, the overall low porosity and the phase differences helped the coating to perform better during wear-resistance testing, realized using a ball-on-disk arrangement, compared to the as-sprayed reference samples.

Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Cold-Sprayed Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Metal Matrix Composite Coating

The aluminum-basalt fiber composite coating was prepared for the first time with basalt fiber as the spraying material by cold-spraying technology. Hybrid deposition behavior was studied by numerical simulation based on Fluent and ABAQUS. The microstructure of the composite coating was observed on the as-sprayed, cross-sectional, and fracture surfaces by SEM, focusing on the deposited morphology of the reinforcing phase basalt fibers in the coating, the distribution of basalt fibers, and the interaction between basalt fibers and metallic aluminum. The results show that there are four main morphologies of the basalt fiber-reinforced phase, i.e., transverse cracking, brittle fracture, deformation, and bending in the coating. At the same time, there are two modes of contact between aluminum and basalt fibers. Firstly, the thermally softened aluminum envelops the basalt fibers, forming a seamless connection. Secondly, the aluminum that has not undergone the softening effect creates a closed space, with the basalt fibers securely trapped within it. Moreover, the Rockwell hardness test and the friction-wear test were conducted on Al-basalt fiber composite coating, and the results showed that the composite coating has high wear resistance and high hardness.

The biocompatibility and mechanical properties of plasma sprayed zirconia coated abutment

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance and reliability of plasma sprayed nanostructured zirconia (NSZ) coating.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study consisted of three areas of analysis: (1) Mechanical property: surface roughness of NSZ coating and bond strength between NSZ coating and titanium specimens were measured, and the microstructure of bonding interface was also observed by scanning election microscope (SEM). (2) Biocompatibility: hemolysis tests, cell proliferation tests, and rat subcutaneous implant test were conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility of NSZ coating. (3) Mechanical compatibility: fracture and artificial aging tests were performed to measure the mechanical compatibility of NSZ-coated titanium abutments.

RESULTS

In the mechanical study, 400 µm thick NSZ coatings had the highest bond strength (71.22 ± 1.02 MPa), and a compact transition layer could be observed. In addition, NSZ coating showed excellent biocompatibility in both hemolysis tests and cell proliferation tests. In subcutaneous implant test, NSZ-coated plates showed similar inflammation elimination and fibrous tissue formation processes with that of titanium specimens. Regarding fatigue tests, all NSZ-coated abutments survived in the five-year fatigue test and showed sufficient fracture strength (407.65–663.7 N) for incisor teeth.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the plasma-sprayed NSZ-coated titanium abutments presented sufficient fracture strength and biocompatibility, and it was demonstrated that plasma spray was a reliable method to prepare high-quality zirconia coating.

Surface damage mitigation of Ti6Al4V alloy via thermal oxidation for oil and gas exploitation application: characterization of the microstructure and evaluation of the surface performance

Ti6Al4V alloy is a promising candidate for petroleum tube. However, low surface hardness, high/unstable friction coefficient, severe adhesive wear and susceptibility to galling are harmful for the direct application of Ti6Al4V alloy in oil/gas well.

Airborne-particle abrasion parameters on the quality of titanium-ceramic bonds

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Airborne-particle abrasion of titanium is a clinically acceptable method of surface preparation. It is crucial to know the effectiveness of bond strength between the metal substructure and the veneering ceramics after this kind of surface treatment.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to determine how the particle size of the abrasive material and pressure affected treated surfaces and the strength of titanium-ceramic bonds.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Disks made of titanium (Tritan CpTi grade 1, Dentaurum, 99.5% Ti) were treated in an airborne-particle abrasion process with 50, 110, and 250 μm aluminum oxide (Al2O3) at pressures of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 MPa. To characterize the treated surfaces, the following values were measured: roughness, free surface energy, and the quantity of abrasive particles attached to the surface. Subsequently, the strength of the metal-ceramic bond was determined. Apart from the strength tests, fractures were observed to determine the character and fracture location in the course of the strength tests. The results of the experiment were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (α=.05).

RESULTS

Both the pressure and the particle size of Al2O3 used in the airborne-particle abrasion affected the strength of the titanium-ceramic bond (P<.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the group subjected to airborne-particle abrasion under a pressure of 0.4 MPa with 110-μm Al2O3 particles and the other experimental groups (P<.05).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the highest bond strength between a ceramic and titanium substructure can be achieved after airborne-particle abrasion at an angle close to 45 degrees with 110-μm Al2O3 particles under 0.4 MPa of pressure.