Effect of Surface Reaction Layer on Three-Point Flexure Bond Strength of Resin Composite to Cast Ti and Ti-6Al-7Nb

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the effect of the α-case on the three-point flexure bond strength of resin composite to different thicknesses of cast CP Ti and Ti-6Al-7Nb. Cast plates (0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 mm thick) were prepared for each metal. Plates without α-case were also prepared for the 0.5 and 0.7 mm-thick CP Ti and Ti-6Al-7Nb. After resin composite was polymerized on the plates, the resin/metal specimens were subjected to three-point bending testing. The fracture force (N) and deflection (mm) at fracture were recorded. The fracture force of the specimens increased with increasing specimen thickness. Specimens without α-case withstood greater fracture force than specimens of either metal with α-case. CP Ti and Ti-6Al-7Nb without α-case deflected more than with α-case. The results suggested that the bonding between the veneer composite and thin cast structures (<0.5 mm) is likely to fail and that the surface reaction layer (α-case) should ideally be removed.