Effects of heat treatment on metal-ceramic combination of selective-laser-melted cobalt-chromium alloy

Abstract

Statement of problemComponents fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) deform because of residual stress, but heat treatment allows the release of that stress and avoids deformation. Although dental cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy has been specifically designed for SLM, the effects of heat treatment on the metal-ceramic combination of SLM Co-Cr restorations require investigation. PurposeThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of heat treatment on the metal-ceramic combination of SLM Co-Cr alloy. Material and methodsFollowing ISO 9693:2012, Co-Cr metal strips (Solibond C Plus cast alloy and SLM powders; YETI Dental) were fabricated with a dimension of 25×3×0.5 mm by casting and SLM. The SLM specimens were divided into 3 subgroups (n=15 for each subgroup). Two subgroups were subjected to heat treatment at 880°C (SLM-880) and 1100°C (SLM-1100). The third subgroup was not subjected to heat treatment and served as a control (As-SLM). Cast specimens (n=15) also acted as a control. A porcelain layer with a thickness of 1.1 mm was fired to the central area (3×8 mm) of each specimen. The 3-point bend test was used to evaluate the metal-ceramic bond strength (τb). The fractured metal surfaces were examined by the naked eye, using a digital camera, and also using a scanning electron microscope. The area fraction of adherence porcelain (AFAP) was determined by measuring the atomic percentage of silicon using energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). One-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the Mann-Whitney test (α=.05), were used for statistical analysis. ResultsThe 1-way ANOVA found no significant difference in the bond strength among the 4 groups. The EDS analysis indicated that specimens in the groups receiving heat treatment (SLM-880 and SLM-1100) showed higher AFAP values than those in the As-SLM group (P<.05). The SLM-880 also showed significantly higher AFAP values than the SLM-1100. Compared with the cast group, significant differences in AFAP values were also observed, and the specimens in the order of highest to lowest AFAP values were SLM-880>cast>As-SLM; no significant difference was found between the SLM-1100 and cast groups. ConclusionsHeat treatment at 880°C and 1100°C did not affect the metal-ceramic bond strength of Co-Cr alloy made by SLM but did improve the porcelain adherence. SLM-fabricated and heat-treated Co-Cr alloy shows comparable or more porcelain adherence than cast specimens.