Mechanical properties and microstructures of dental cast Ti-Ag and Ti-Cu alloys.

In this study, experimental Ti-Ag alloys (5, 10, and 20 mass% Ag) and Ti-Cu alloys (2, 5, and 10 mass% Cu) were made in an argon-arc melting furnace. The alloys were cast into magnesia molds using an argon gas-pressure dental casting machine, and the mechanical properties and microstructures of the castings were investigated. As the concentration of silver or copper in the alloys increased, the tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness of the alloys became higher than those of CP Ti, and the elongation of the alloys became lower than that of CP Ti. Changes in the mechanical properties by alloying were considered to be caused by solid-solution strengthening of the a-phases and by precipitation of intermetallic compounds.