An investigation has been carried out to study changes in shape on aging in plastic deformed Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys. The changes in shape were measured in order to establish a relationship to the aging heat treatments. Their microstructure was observed in order to clarify this phenomenon at the same time. They were also investigated quantitatively using a feature analysis system. The changes in shape were interpreted as the shrinkage in volume resulting from the formation of the ordered phase. They were smaller at aging temperatures below 673 K. The change in microstructure was different at aging temperature between 573 and 773 K. These phenomena were due to the following: First, nodules which nucleated at the grain boundaries would have grown into the grains well before the formation of the ordered phase, and second, the shrinkage in volume would have been of a different kind that the ordered phase. Therefore aging treatments should be carried out at low temperature in order to minimize the changes in shape. Also, nodular growth should be inhibited in order to maximize the hardening in Ag-rich alloys.

Alloys↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mechanical properties and biomechanical compatibility of porous titanium for dental implants.

Titanium powder with a granule diameter of 420-500 micron was prepared and porous titanium specimens were made from this powder. The mechanical properties of these specimens were examined. The compressive strength and low cyclic compressive fatigue strength were 182 and 40 MPa, respectively. Fractography was also observed by scanning electron microscopy. Typical fatigue characteristics of the bonding areas of the powder were observed. In addition, porous-titanium-coated dental implants with pure titanium cores were prepared. The compressive strength of the material used was 230 MPa, fatigue strength not being improved. Biomechanical stress calculations using the finite element method were made using a model that employed the use of the material implanted in alveolar bone. Shear stress at the implant-bone interface as well as compressive stress concentrations in the bone was calculated. The most suitable elastic modulus for the dental implant was then estimated from these calculations. Finally, based on these results, the use of porous titanium for dental implants was assessed.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of soft denture liner on stress distribution in supporting structures under a denture.

This study examined the effect of a soft denture liner on the distribution of stresses in the denture-supporting structures. Dentures without a linear and with three configurations of a soft liner were simulated by using a two-dimensional viscoelastic finite-element stress analysis. The stress intensity at functional force-bearing areas decreased when a soft denture liner was used. However, the stresses in the bone increased remarkably up to 3.0 seconds after loading. Because of the time-dependent effect of stresses applied to soft denture liners, denture patients who clench or brux may not benefit as greatly from soft denture liners. The study indicates that viscoelastic finite-element analysis is helpful for evaluating soft denture liners. Soft denture liners appear to be useful for improving the stress distribution in the supporting structures under dentures.

Alveolar Process↗