Properties of test metal ceramic titanium alloys.

Four test alloys were prepared using a high frequency centrifugal casting machine and a ceramic crucible for the development of titanium bonding alloys that can be cast in the ordinary atmosphere. Of these alloys, 10.06% Ti, 78.79% Ni, 9.02% Pd, 1.77% Sn and 9.91% Ti, 78.56% Ni, 9.07% Pd, 1.86% Sn, 0.65% Ir could be cast by the conventional high frequency centrifugal method; however, 89.18% Ti, 8.75% Ni, 1.03% Pd, 0.28% Sn and 89.81% Ti, 8.15% Ni, 1.01% Pd, 0.18% Sn, 0.67% Ir could be cast only by the argon are melting method. The alloys 10.06% Ti, 78.95% Ni, 9.02% Pd, 1.77% Sn and 9.91% Ti, 78.56% Ni, 9.07% Pd, 1.86% Sn, 0.65% Ir showed excellent physical and mechanical properties and bonding strengths, surpassing those of the commercial alloys TPW and Unimetal. Concerning the elution of component elements, the amounts of titanium eluted from these alloys were far smaller than those from pure titanium or a Ti-6Al-4V alloy, and nickel elution, which has become an issue in relation to metal allergy, was almost nil in contrast to Unimetal (Ni-Cr alloy). The alloy 9.91% Ti, 78.56% Ni, 9.07% Pd, 1.86% Sn, 0.65% Ir showed properties that indicated its favorable use as an alloy for the bonding of dental porcelain.