Surface Roughness Analysis Research Articles

Optimization of Elaeis Guineensis Shell Ash Nanoparticles for Gas Turbine Blade Coating

The nanoparticles of elaeis guineensis (oil palm) kernel shell ash was developed into recipe for the fabrication of composite coatings on gas turbine blades, with electrodeposition technique employed. To prepare the electrodeposition bath; 100g/l ZnCl2, 5g/l Thiourea, 15g/l Boric acid, and 100g/l KCl were utilized and the recipe for the fabrication of the composite coatings were 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25g/l of the nanoparticles. This paper tends to analyse the various percentage weight of the recipe making up the electrolyte, with a view to investigating and ascertaining the effectiveness of the coatings derived from each composition through; coating thickness, hardness value, surface roughness, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), electrical conductivity, tribology and microstructure analysis. Whereas the results of the investigation reveal that the performance of gas turbine blade was enhanced with the composite coatings, the 20g/l composition was found to be most effective. The decrease in the performance beyond this composition is attributable to the fact that the electrolyte became too viscous to promote easy flow of electrons during electrodeposition, as was similarly observed in previous work.

Are Dental Prophylaxis Protocols Safe for CAD-CAM Restorative Materials? Surface Characteristics and Fatigue Strength

The surface of dental materials is exposed to various prophylaxis protocols during routine dental care. However, the impact of these protocols on the functional properties of the material’s surface remains unclear. This study investigates the influence of different dental prophylaxis protocols on the surface properties and their effect on the mechanical performance of CAD-CAM restorative materials. Discs (Ø = 15 mm, thickness = 1.2 mm) were fabricated from resin composite (RC, Tetric CAD), leucite-reinforced (LEU, IPS Empress CAD), lithium disilicate (LD, IPS e.max CAD), and zirconia ceramics (ZIR, IPS e.max ZirCAD MT). The materials were subjected to six prophylactic treatments: untreated (CTRL), prophylactic paste fine (PPF), prophylactic paste coarse (PPC), pumice stone (PS), air abrasion with sodium bicarbonate jet (BJ), and ultrasonic scaling (US). Biaxial flexural fatigue tests, along with fractographic, roughness, and topographic analyses, were conducted. No significant changes in fatigue strength were observed for RC, LD, and ZIR under any prophylaxis protocols. However, LEU subjected to BJ treatment exhibited significantly reduced fatigue strength (p = 0.004), with a 22% strength reduction compared to the monotonic test and substantial surface alterations. Surface roughness analyses revealed increased roughness for RC treated with PPF, PPC, and PS compared to CTRL (p < 0.05), while LD exhibited decreased roughness following PPF, PS, and US treatments (p < 0.05). In ZIR, only the BJ protocol increased roughness (p = 0.001). In conclusion, dental prophylaxis protocols do not significantly affect the mechanical strength of RC, LD, and ZIR materials, thus allowing any protocol to be used for these materials. However, for LEU ceramics, the BJ protocol should be avoided due to its effect of reducing fatigue strength and damaging the surface.

Modeling and optimization of hard turning: predictive analysis of surface roughness and cutting forces in AISI 52100 steel using machine learning

Modeling and optimization of hard turning: predictive analysis of surface roughness and cutting forces in AISI 52100 steel using machine learning

Evaluation of surface properties of modified Ti6Al4V alloy with copper nanoparticles organic nanostructure for biomedical applications: dependency on anticorrosive, antibacterial, and biocompatibility

Abstract In this study, a novel multifunctional copper nanoparticle CuNPs in the organic biomatrix was coated to the surface of Ti6Al4V to create multifunctional features. The synthesis of CuNPs was carried out by plant-mediated green synthesis method obtained from Moringa leaf extract, and the prepared CuNPs were coated on the substrate surfaces as single and double layers with drop casting methods. Characterizations of the synthesized CuNPs were performed by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, and SEM methods. Characterization of the modified Ti6Al4V alloy surfaces was performed using SEM-EDS and surface roughness analysis. The electrochemical corrosion, antibacterial behavior, and cytotoxic effects of coated and noncoated Ti6Al4V as a function of biocompatibility properties were also tested. The synthesized CuNPs have a homogeneously dispersed spherical shape. Biocorrosion tests have clearly demonstrated that the coating forms a protective film on the substrate surface, and the resistance increased by 49 %. Antibacterial results show that the single and double-coated Ti6Al4V alloy samples with CuNPs organic nanostructure had improved biocompatibility. However, it was determined that the cytotoxic effect increases proportionally with the coating. The obtained results show the importance of surface modification in the appropriate nanostructure to obtain multifunctional nanoplatforms that show promise in biomedical applications.

Morphological and Optical Profiling of Melanocytes and SK-MEL-28 Melanoma Cells Via Digital Holographic Microscopy and Quantitative Phase Imaging.

Melanoma, which originates from pigment-producing melanocytes, is an aggressive and deadly skin cancer. Despite extensive research, its mechanisms of progression and metastasis remain unclear. This study uses quantitative phase imaging via digital holographic microscopy, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) to identify the morphological, optical, and behavioral differences between normal melanocytes and SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells. Our findings reveal significant differences in cell shape, size, and internal organization, with SK-MEL-28 cells displaying greater size variability, more polygonal shapes, and higher optical thickness. Phase shift parameters and surface roughness analyses underscore melanoma cells' uniform and predictable textures. Violin plots highlight the dynamic and varied migration of SK-MEL-28 cells, contrasting with the localized movement of melanocytes. Hierarchical clustering of correlation matrices provides further insights into complex morphological and optical relationships. Integrating label-free imaging with robust analytical methods enhances understanding of melanoma's aggressive behavior, supporting targeted therapies and highlighting potential biomarkers for precise melanoma diagnostics and treatment.

Flame Retardation of Polyamide 6 by Electro-Sprayed Phosphorus–Copper Complex Supported by Layered Silicate

The primary objective of this study was to demonstrate the effect of a phosphorus–copper complex on the flammability of polyamide 6 (PA6) materials, including organoclay-reinforced nanocomposites. The secondary objective was to compare the effectiveness of the deposition methods of the three-layer copper complex. Our previous work successfully revealed the effectiveness of reducing the flammability of polyamide composites by depositing phosphorus and copper compounds using a Layer-by-Layer technique. In the current work, we turned our attention to modifying the PA6 surface by electro-spray (ES) using the same flame retardants as before, and we investigated the effectiveness of the resulting surface protection against high temperatures during combustion. Surface roughness analysis revealed that the use of the ES method favors the formation of surface unevenness. The UL-94 test results showed that composite materials having 5-15 triple layers were among the best flammability classes compared to the others. Both types of materials tested also showed a tendency to reduce the heat release rate (HRR) by increasing the degree of surface coverage when using the electro-spray technique. Remarkably, deposition of 15 triple layers on the surface of the nanocomposite reduced the maximum HRR point by 20%.Graphical abstract

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SURFACE OF FACTORY AND HAND-MADE LOOPS ON TITANIUM-MOLYBDENUM ORTHODONTIC ARCHWIRE

The most important part of the brackets, used in orthodontic treatment, is the archwire, which, when activated, generate light and long-lasting biomechanical forces that make the teeth move. Different manufacturers offer ready-made expensive solutions for orthodontists - archwire with loops along the length of the wire of different shape, which increases the cost of treatment. However, orthodontic practice is strictly individual, depending on the patient’s orthodontic problems, the stages and methods of treatment.Orthodontists often have to choose between expensive archwires with pre-made loops or using an archwire that they can manually bend in the right places depending on the patient’s individual characteristics and specific needs. In this case, the orthodontist’s decision depends on preserving the quality of the archwire surface. The surface roughness of the orthodontic archwire plays an important role in the bracket-archwire complex and is an essential factor that determines the effectiveness of the guided movement of the teeth along the arch. Surface roughness not only affects the efficiency of sliding mechanics, due to frictional effects, but also corrosion behaviour and aesthetics. A comparison of the surface characteristics of Ti-Mo archwire - with factory and hand-made loops is made. The surface of the archwire in the bending zones of the loops was investigated by SEM analysis and Surface roughness analysis. The analysis of the results shows that manual bending practically does not change the surface of the archwire, does not introduce additional defects that increase the contact friction, as well as create conditions for faster deterioration of properties and the undesirable breakage of the archwire. Research results give orthodontists confidence that the manual bending process does not degrade the quality of the archwire surface. The hand-bent archwire preserves the possibility of trouble-free movement in the braces when tightening or loosening during the different stages of treatment.

Terrain Analysis According to Multiscale Surface Roughness in the Taklimakan Desert

Surface roughness, interpreted in the wide sense of surface texture, is a generic term referring to a variety of aspects and scales of spatial variability of surfaces. The analysis of solid earth surface roughness is useful for understanding, characterizing, and monitoring geomorphic factors at multiple spatiotemporal scales. The different geomorphic features characterizing a landscape exhibit specific characteristics and scales of surface texture. The capability to selectively analyze specific roughness metrics at multiple spatial scales represents a key tool in geomorphometric analysis. This research presents a simplified geostatistical approach for the multiscale analysis of surface roughness, or of image texture in the case of images, that is highly informative and interpretable. The implemented approach is able to describe two main aspects of short-range surface roughness: omnidirectional roughness and roughness anisotropy. Adopting simple upscaling approaches, it is possible to perform a multiscale analysis of roughness. An overview of the information extraction potential of the approach is shown for the analysis of a portion of the Taklimakan desert (China) using a 30 m resolution DEM derived from the Copernicus Glo-30 DSM. The multiscale roughness indexes are used as input features for unsupervised and supervised learning tasks. The approach can be refined both from the perspective of the multiscale analysis as well as in relation to the surface roughness indexes considered. However, even in its present, simplified form, it can find direct applications in relation to multiple contexts and research topics.

Physio-Mechanic and Microscopic Analyses of Bioactive Glass-Based Resin Infiltrants.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and durability of bioactive glass-based dental resin infiltrants. Resin infiltrants were formulated by combining photoinitiated dimethacrylate monomers with three variations of bioactive glass: 45S5 Bioglass (RIS), boron-substituted (RIB), fluoride-substituted (RIF), and pure resins (PR), whereby TOOTH group (TH) and ICON (CN) served as commercial control groups. Teeth samples were prepared, and experimental and control infiltrants were applied on demineralized human-extracted teeth. All the samples were subjected to immersion in artificial saliva and pH cycling for 30 days. The samples from another group underwent tooth brushing simulation for 9600 cycles. Following artificial saliva immersion, the samples' hardness values showed that RIB had the highest values (318.44 ± 3.83) while PR (212.52 ± 9.02) had the lowest values. After immersing into the pH cycling solution, the RIF showed the highest hardness (286.86 ± 5.11), while the lowest values for the CN (143.76 ± 3.50). After the tooth brushing simulation, the teeth samples with RIB showed maximum microhardness values (312.06 ± 16.30) and the weakest for the TH (189.60 ± 6.43). The commercial and experimental enamel resin infiltrants showed almost similar results overall, with RIB demonstrating better microhardness and comparable surface roughness. In contrast, RIF proved more resistant to pH cycling, exhibited higher microhardness, and performed better in surface roughness analysis. These findings suggest that resin infiltrant materials, especially RIF, have promising potential for effectively and esthetically managing white spot lesions.

Improving tribological efficiency of isopropyl palmitate oil with cellulose nanocrystals: a sustainable approach for high-performance lubricants

This article explores the potential of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a lubricant additive for isopropyl palmitate (IPP) oil to enhance its tribological performance. CNCs, derived from renewable sources, offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lubricant additives. A two-step method was used to prepare the nanolubricants, with visual control and dynamic light scattering measurements to assess their temporal stability. The viscous behavior of the nanolubricants, in terms of viscosity and viscosity index, was evaluated at different temperatures. The study assesses the effectiveness of CNC/IPP oil blends as lubricants through tribological tests, including evaluations under pure sliding and rolling–sliding conditions. Studies on worn surfaces were conducted using surface roughness analysis, Raman mapping, and XPS, and the thermal stability was examined to determine their suitability for different operating conditions. CNCs significantly reduce friction by up to 44% and improve wear resistance compared to the neat IPP base oil, presumably due to a self-repairing effect. Furthermore, an improvement of the thermal conductivity of pure IPP base oil has been revealed with increasing CNC concentration. This study enhances the understanding of cellulose nanocrystals as lubricant additives and their potential to transform traditional lubricating oils into high-performance and sustainable solutions.

Analysis of FS and Surface Roughness in Heat-Polymerized Poly Methyl Methacrylate Acrylic Resin Reinforced with Different Concentrations of Glass Fibers and Polypropylene Fibers: A Laboratory Study Using EDX and SEM

This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS) and surface roughness (Ra) of heat-polymerized poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resin reinforced with glass fibers (GF) and polypropylene fibers (PPF) in different concentrations. One hundred heat-cured PMMA resin samples were prepared and randomly allocated into five groups based on fiber reinforcement (n = 20). Group 1 had no fiber reinforcement, Group 2 had 0.5% silanized GF reinforcement, Group 3 had 1% silanized GF reinforcement, Group 4 had 0.5% silanized PPF reinforcement, and Group 5 had 1% silanized PPF reinforcement. Fatigue load was applied through artificial aging. FS testing of fifty samples was performed using a universal testing machine, and Ra was analyzed using an optical interferometric profilometer. Specimens were selected for SEM and EDX analysis. To find the differences among the studied groups, one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey’s test were utilized. The results showed that Group 5 (1% PPF reinforcement) presented the highest fracture resistance (90.1±9.8 MPa), while the minimum FS scores were observed in Group 1 (no reinforcement) (59.2±7.1 MPa). Group 3 (1% GF reinforcement) exhibited the highest values of surface roughness (1.99±0.1992), whereas the lowest roughness scores were observed in Group 1. The study concluded that incorporating 0.5% PPF into the resin denture is a viable option for reinforcing the prosthesis without increasing surface roughness.

Exploring the Fabrication, Properties, and Morphology of Fluorine Substituted Hydroxyapatite Coatings

Hydroxyapatite (HAp), resembling human bone tissue, is a promising biomaterial for dental and hip prosthetics. Incorporating fluorine ions enhances HAp properties, particularly in dental restoration. This new study examines the physicochemical and biological properties of fluorine substituted hydroxyapatite (FHAp) coatings. Structural and morphological properties of the coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The elemental composition of the FHAp coatings was studied using energy- dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigations were also conducted. The typical peaks identified in XRD patterns of the FHAp were associated with pure hydroxyapatite with hexagonal structure. The general XPS spectrum of FHAp coatings shows peaks corresponding to the constituent elements of stoichiometric HAp as well as the presence of F that was used as a substituent. Consequently, the FTIR studies results underlined the presence of hydroxyapatite in the FHAp coatings. The SEM images reveal the presence of a uniform and continuous layer of particle conglomerates evenly distributed across the FHAp surface. Valuable information about the FHAp coating’s wettability, adhesion and coating thickness were also obtained. Also, the AFM images suggest the absence of the significant irregularities from the surface of the FHAp coatings. Investigations of FHAp coatings reveal promising outcomes for cell viability and proliferation. Detailed analysis of FHAp's 3D surface characteristics and roughness, following ISO 25178-2:2012 standards, highlights their favorable biocompatibility, supporting MG63 cell proliferation. The surface roughness parameters of FHAp coatings were found to vary, with Sa values spanning from 0.029 ± 0.004 μm to 0.778 ± 0.007 μm, while Sq ranged from 0.035 ± 0.005 μm to 0.907 ± 0.011 μm. Furthermore, FHAp exhibits skewness (Ssk) from -0.048 ± 0.006 to 0.195 ± 0.009, kurtosis (Sku) from -0.600 ± 0.011 to -1.050 ± 0.021, and fractal dimension from 2.14 ± 0.01 to 2.19 ± 0.01, indicating consistent surface complexity and favorable properties. The Minkowski Functionals mirror the morphological observations from AFM images, emphasizing their dynamic influence on the samples' surfaces.

Enhancing wetting and adhesion of stainless steel (SS304) surfaces with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma jet treatment

Enhancing the adhesion of coatings to metallic surfaces can be achieved through decontamination and increased surface energy. Among the various techniques used for functionalizing metallic surfaces, such as chemical etching, laser etching, flame treatment, and ultraviolet radiation; dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma stands out as a promising option. It offers low-power, cost-effective, room-temperature operation and provides treatment with minimal alteration of subsurface properties. This study investigates using a DBD plasma jet to increase the treatment area, surface wettability, organic decontamination, and paint adhesion on stainless steel (SS304). The impact of different plasma treatments and aging times on the liquid contact angles and corresponding surface energies are experimentally examined. The results indicate that the surface energy of SS304 increases with treatment time. This is evident from the substantial reduction in water contact angles from 67° to 29° with 5s treatment time and to 18° with 60s treatment time. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements are carried out to correlate this increase in surface energy to an increase in oxide bonds and decontamination of organic species, resulting in surface activation. However, it is observed that the plasma-treated surfaces exhibit no significant alterations in surface morphology, as confirmed through analyses of surface roughness and micro-hardness. Cross-hatch adhesion tests are carried out to demonstrate that the plasma surface treatment results in a significant improvement in surface adhesion to external coatings. Furthermore, the study evaluates the impact of DBD plasma jet treatment speed and dose on coating adhesion, providing valuable insights for making a trade-off between treatment quality and energy efficiency. The findings could extend the applicability of the DBD plasma jet to various areas, including anti-fogging surfaces, water harvesting, paints and coatings, and organic decontamination of surfaces.

Air Fixation and AFM: A Comparative Study of Nanoparticle-Induced Topographical Changes in Lung Cells

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged as promising agents in biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. This study investigates the cellular interactions of AuNPs with A549 (non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma) and BEAS-2B (normal bronchial epithelial) cell lines. AuNPs were synthesized via the citrate reduction method, resulting in 20, 50, and 70 nm particles. Cells were incubated with AuNPs for increasing durations (30 minutes, 4 hours, and 24 hours). Post-incubation, cells were washed with PBS, air-fixed, and subsequently analyzed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to obtain detailed topographical maps. AFM imaging revealed distinct interactions between AuNPs and the two cell lines. A549 cells displayed darker regions on the cell surface, indicative of topographical depressions likely resulting from nanoparticle-induced membrane collapse. In contrast, BEAS-2B cells did not exhibit such depressions, which is consistent with the literature that suggests cancer cells are mechanically softer than normal cells. The surface roughness analysis results indicated that the preservation of surface integrity post-fixation validates the air-fixation methodology for obtaining reliable mechanical data from AFM analyses.

Comparative Analysis of Surface Roughness influenced by Alumina Powder on Different Lapping Plates using the Surface Lapping Process Technique to the C3604 Brass Material

Comparative Analysis of Surface Roughness influenced by Alumina Powder on Different Lapping Plates using the Surface Lapping Process Technique to the C3604 Brass Material

Surface Variability Mapping and Roughness Analysis of the Moon Using a Coarse‐Graining Decomposition

AbstractThe lunar surface contains a wide variety of topographic shapes and features, each with different distributions and scales, and any analysis technique to objectively measure roughness must respect these qualities. Coarse‐graining is a naturally scale‐dependent filtering technique that preserves scale‐dependent symmetries and produces coarse elevation maps that gradually erase the smaller features from the original topography. In this study of the lunar surface, we present two surface variability metrics obtained from coarse‐graining lunar topography: fine elevation and coarse curvature. Both metrics are isotropic, deterministic, slope‐independent, and coordinate‐agnostic. Fine (detrended) elevation is acquired by subtracting the coarse elevation from the original topography and contains features that are smaller than the coarse‐graining length‐scale. Coarse curvature is the Laplacian of coarsened topography, and naturally quantifies the curvature at any scale and indicates whether a location is elevated or depressed relative to its neighborhood at that scale. We find that highlands and maria have distinct roughness characteristics at all length‐scales. Our topographic spectra reveal four scale‐breaks that mark characteristic shifts in surface roughness: 100, 300, 1,000, and 4,000 km. Comparing fine elevation distributions between maria and highlands, we show that maria fine elevation is biased toward smaller‐magnitude elevations and that the maria–highland discrepancies are more pronounced at larger length‐scales. We also provide local examples of selected regions to demonstrate that these metrics can successfully distinguish geological features of different length‐scales.

Surface roughness analysis of cilia-driven flow for shear-thinning fluid inside a horizontal passage

The underlying investigation reports the impact of surface roughness on the mechanism of ciliary transport of Carreau–Yasuda (C–Y) liquid through a horizontal passage. The considered equations are further simplified with the help of a low Reynolds number and large wavelength approximation. The resulting boundary value problem is numerically tackled with the MATLAB built-in function bvp5c. The impact of sundry parameters on physical quantities is examined through graphical representation. The results indicate that the influence of roughness cannot be ignored during the cilia-driven channel flow, as a significant impact of roughness is observed on velocity, pressure, pressure rise, and streamlines. For several non-Newtonian pumping analysis with rough surface, this evaluation will serve as a benchmark. The current findings will also be applied to the creation of new medical pumps for transportation phenomena.

Effect of whitening dentifrices on dental enamel: an analysis of color, microhardness, and surface roughness in vitro.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different whitening toothpastes on color change and alteration in enamel surface roughness and microhardness compared to a conventional toothpaste. Fifty bovine incisors were selected, cleaned, and stored before being divided into five groups: a conventional toothpaste group and three whitening toothpaste groups containing different abrasive agents: silica, hydrogen peroxide, and activated charcoal. Specimens underwent simulated brushing, staining with black tea solution, and subsequent analyses of color, surface roughness, and microhardness. Statistical analysis was performed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests (P .05). The results showed that the color analysis revealed similar whitening potential among all toothpastes. They showed significant differences in surface roughness (P .001) and microhardness (P .001) after simulated brushing. While all toothpastes caused a decrease in microhardness, the charcoal-based toothpaste showed a significant increase in surface roughness compared to the initial condition. All toothpastes demonstrated whitening capability. Surface roughness changed after brushing with activated charcoal-based whitening toothpaste, but final roughness was similar across all groups. Whitening toothpastes led to a decrease in enamel microhardness, with similar final performance across all toothpastes analyzed.

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide-Based Bleaching Agents on the Color Dimensions and Surface Roughness of Different Milled Restorative Dental Materials.

To compare the color dimensions, color discrepancies (ΔE00), and surface roughness of milled materials before and after application of a bleaching agent. A total of 10 extracted molars were obtained. Each tooth was cut in transverse sections to create disks (3-mm thick, 10-mm diameter; control group). Disk specimens of eight materials (n &#61; 10 per group) were fabricated: polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) interim material (PMMA-Telio group), two resin nanoceramics (RNC-Ultimate group and RNC-Cerasmart group), two hybrid ceramics (HC-Shofu group and HC-Enamic group), lithium disilicate (LD-Emax group), zirconia-reinforced glass ceramic (ZGC-Suprinity group), and zirconia (Zr-InCeram group). Color measurements were obtained using a spectrophotometer before and after applying 35% hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching agent. Pre- and postbleaching surface roughness (Sa) analyses were completed using a profilometer. Significant L*, a*, b*, and ΔE00 value differences were found (P < .05). Color discrepancies (ΔE00) ranged from 0.30 ± 0.14 to 4.82 ± 0.10. The highest color discrepancies were measured on the PMMA-Telio group, while the lowest color discrepancies were computed for ZGC-Suprinity, RNCUltimate, and RNC-Cerasmart. Significant surface roughness differences were found (P < .05). The largest increase of surface roughness values between the pre- and postbleaching measurements was obtained in the PMMA-Telio group with a mean ΔSa value of 4.73 ± 3.02, while the largest decrease of surface roughness values between the pre- and postbleaching measurements was obtained in the Zr-InCeram group with a mean ΔSa value of -1.58 ± 0.10. The milled materials showed significant pre- and postbleaching color and surface roughness discrepancies.

Assessment of Various Archwire Materials and Their Impact on Orthodontic Treatment Outcomes.

Aim Orthodontic treatment relies heavily on the mechanical properties and surface characteristics of archwire materials to achieve optimal outcomes. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the mechanical properties, including tensile strength, yield strength, and modulus of elasticity, as well as the surface characteristics, such as surface roughness and frictional properties, of different archwire materials. Methods Four types of archwire materials, stainless steel, nickel-titanium (NiTi), beta-titanium, and esthetic archwires, were subjected to mechanical testing and surface analysis, with 31 in each group. Tensile testing was conducted to determine the maximum tensile strength, yield strength, and elastic modulus of each material. Surface roughness analysis was performed using profilometry techniques, and frictional properties were evaluated using an orthodontic friction testing apparatus. Results Stainless steel exhibited the highest tensile strength (900 N), followed by beta-titanium (850 N), NiTi (800 N), and esthetic archwire (750 N). Stainless steel also demonstrated the highest yield strength (780 N), followed by beta-titanium (740 N), NiTi (710 N), and esthetic archwire (650 N). The modulus of elasticity was the highest for stainless steel (200 GPa), followed by beta-titanium (170 GPa), NiTi (150 GPa), and esthetic archwires (120 GPa). Surface roughness was lowest in stainless steel archwires (mean Ra value of 0.25 µm), leading to reduced frictional resistance, whereas esthetic archwires exhibited the highest surface roughness (mean Ra value of 0.40 µm) and frictional forces. Significant differences in the mechanical properties and surface characteristics were observed among the materials (p < 0.05). Conclusions The choice of archwire material significantly influences orthodontic treatment outcomes by affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of tooth movement. Stainless steel and beta-titanium wires are ideal for high-stress applications, providing the robust mechanical strength necessary for complex movements. In contrast, NiTi wires, with their superelasticity, offer consistent and gentle forces, enhancing patient comfort and accelerating the alignment phase. Esthetic archwires, while visually appealing, often compromise mechanical performance, potentially prolonging treatment duration.