Influence of Third Element of TiNi Alloy on Tribological Behavior in Dry and Wet Conditions for Orthodontic Applications

Abstract

The tribological behavior of Ti49.4Ni50.6, Ti49Ni46Cu5 and Ti50Ni47Co3 (at%) alloy in dry and wet conditions was studied. The alloy was prepared in a Vacuum Arc Re-melting (VAR), homogenized at 800°C for 3600 s and quenched in water. The phase transformation temperatures were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Before a tribology test, it is necessary to determine surface roughness, because high surface roughness affects friction. The hardness behavior, based on the load over residual indent area, was determined by a Vickers hardness tester. The sliding friction tests were performed using a ball-on-disk tribometer in dry condition at room temperature and wet condition in artificial saliva (pH 5.35) at 37°C (Oral temperature). The results showed that transformation temperature (Af) lowered oral temperature (37°C), this was mainly attributed to the superelastic properties that can be taken into orthodontic applications. The studies showed significant influences in dry condition of coefficient of friction. Caused by the force between the ball and the disk, contact pressure of surface area effect in wear occurred. The debris could not be removed from the surface area tested. TiNiCu and TiNiCo generated significantly lower average coefficient of friction when tested under dry condition, which may have been due to the addition of Cu and Co. Wet condition decreased coefficient of friction more than dry condition, owing to the lubricating effects of artificial saliva.