A shear test for the bond strength of ceramometals.

An innovative shear-testing method was introduced to study the effect of firing temperature, type of metal, and surface texture on the bond strength of the ceramometals. Two common ceramic/metal alloys were used: Olympia, a precious alloy, and Talladium, a base alloy. A Ceramco II Paint-O-Pake opaque was selected for the study. Each porcelain alloy was prepared in a similar manner before porcelain application to achieve uniform surfaces. A separate category of base alloy samples was subjected to etching after sandblasting. Each category was then divided into two groups. Opaque porcelain was fired according to the manufacturer's instructions in one group and 65 degrees F higher in the other. The bond strengths were compared by statistical analysis and post-tested samples were evaluated visually and microscopically with a scanning electron microscope.