Cast Titanium Research Articles

Theoretical Study of Alpha Case Formation during Titanium Casting

Scale analyses indicate that three distinct contaminant mass-transfer processes, occurring on distinct time scales, underlie formation of the alpha case on small titanium castings. High rates of mold-to-liquid metal mass transfer occur during an extremely short induction period, the length of which is determined by the time required for heterogeneously nucleated solidification fronts to cover mold surface asperities. Following the induction period, but prior to complete cast solidification, mold contaminants diffuse through a rapidly growing solidification layer, where the solid-phase mass-diffusion boundary layer grows at a rate approximately an order of magnitude slower than the solidification front. Finally, following complete solidification and until the part is removed from the mold, contaminant mass transfer continues via solid diffusion. Based on the scale analyses, an analytical model that incorporates an empirical relation between titanium solid phase oxygen concentration and titanium microhardness is developed and compared against representative experimental near-surface microhardness measurements.

Evaluation of the thermal shrinkage of titanium and the setting and thermal expansion of phosphate-bonded investments

There are few studies on titanium casting shrinkage, and phosphate-bonded investments for titanium casting have not produced appropriate marginal fit. The purpose of this study was to determine the thermal shrinkage of titanium and the setting and thermal expansion of 3 phosphate-bonded investments. The thermal shrinkage between the melting temperature and room temperature was calculated using a titanium thermal expansion coefficient. The thermal and setting expansion were measured for 3 phosphate bonded investments: Rematitan Plus (RP) specific for titanium, Rema Exakt (RE), and Castorit Super C (CA), using different special liquid concentrations (100%, 75%, and 50%). Setting expansion was measured for cylindrical specimens 50 mm long x 8 mm in diameter with a transducer. The heating and cooling curves were obtained with a dilatometer (DIL 402 PC). The total expansion curve was drawn using software, and temperatures to obtain expansion equivalent to titanium casting shrinkage were determined (n=5). In addition, the total expansion of the control group (RP at 430 degrees C) was measured, as well as the temperatures at which the other groups achieved equivalent total expansion (n=5). Data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (alpha=.05). Titanium casting shrinkage was estimated as 1.55%. RP did not achieve this expansion. RE achieved expansion of 1.55% only with a special liquid concentration of 100% at 594 degrees C. CA with all special liquid concentrations attained this expansion (351 degrees C to 572 degrees C). Total expansion of the control group was 0.86%, and the other groups reached that expansion within the range of 70 degrees C to 360 degrees C. Only RE and CA demonstrated sufficient expansion to compensate for titanium casting shrinkage. All groups reached total expansion equivalent to that of the control group at significantly lower temperatures.

Structure, castability and mechanical properties of commercially pure and alloyed titanium cast in graphite mould

This report is a study of structure, castability, mechanical properties as well as corrosion behaviour of titanium doped with up to 5 weight percentage (wt%) of a series of alloy elements, including Ta, Mo, Nb, Hf, Zr, Sn, Bi and Ag. The results indicate that, with addition of 1 wt% alloy element, Bi and Mo were most effective in enhancing the castability of titanium. With more alloy elements added, the castability values of most alloys more or less decreased. Except Ti-Mo system, all Ti alloys with a fine acicular morphology had the same crystal structure (hcp) as that of c.p. Ti with a typical lath type morphology. When 3 wt% or more Mo was added, a finer orthorhombic alpha'' phase was formed. The microhardness and bending strength values of Ti alloys were all higher than those of c.p. Ti. Among all alloys, Ti-Mo system exhibited the highest hardness and strength level. For a certain alloy, the bending strength did not necessarily increase with its alloy content. Except Ti-5Zr and Ti-Mo alloys, the bending moduli of most alloy systems were not much different from that of c.p. Ti. All alloys showed an excellent resistance to corrosion in Hanks' solution at 37 degrees C.

Effects of airborne‐particle abrasion, sodium hydroxide anodization, and electrical discharge machining on porcelain adherence to cast commercially pure titanium

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of airborne-particle abrasion (APA), sodium hydroxide anodization (SHA), and electrical discharge machining (EDM) on cast titanium surfaces and titanium-porcelain adhesion. Ninety titanium specimens were cast with pure titanium and the alpha-case layer was removed. Specimens were randomly divided into three groups. Ten specimens from each group were subjected to APA. SHA was applied to the second subgroups, and the remaining specimens were subjected to the EDM. For the control group, 10 specimens were cast using NiCr alloy and subjected to only APA. Surfaces were examined by using scanning electron microscope and a surface profilometer. Three titanium porcelains were fused on the titanium surfaces, whereas NiCr specimens were covered with conventional porcelain. Titanium-porcelain adhesion was characterized by a 3-point bending test. Statistical analysis showed that the porcelain-metal bond strength of the control group was higher than that of the titanium-porcelain system (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the bond strengths of titanium groups (p 0.05), except the bond strengths of Noritake Super Porcelain TI-22 groups on which APA and SHA were applied (p < 0.05). SHA and EDM as surface treatment did not improve titanium-porcelain adhesion when compared to APA.

Protective coatings for induction casting of titanium

Commercially pure titanium is among the most biocompatible metals available for dental uses: it combines good mechanical properties with high corrosion resistance in simulated body fluids. However, titanium casting shows some problems mainly related to its high melting temperature and chemical reactivity with oxygen at T > 600 °C; as a consequence, molten titanium reacts with crucibles and mould components during casting. In this research, new Y 2O 3-based slurry was used to produce yttria coated mullitic crucibles and wax pattern coatings for induction melting of titanium; furthermore, a detailed comparison among 4 different investment materials (one silica-based, one ZrSiO 4-based and two MgO-based) was performed. The titanium surface after casting was investigated with optical and electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). A reaction zone was observed on Ti when cast in an uncoated crucible, while a clean, pure Ti surface was obtained by using yttria coated crucibles and yttria coated wax patterns before investing with silica-based and zircon-based investment.

Evaluation of different bonded investments for dental titanium casting

The properties of several different investments were investigated including phosphate bonded, magnesia bonded, and alumina cement investments. Measurements included the setting expansion, thermal expansion, and compressive strength of investments, as well as the tensile strength, elongation, Vickers hardness (VHN) and surface roughness of titanium castings. For phosphate bonded investment, the setting expansion after being mixed with its own mixing solution was 2.10%, which was larger than the other investments; the thermal expansion was -0.25% at 200 degrees C, the compressive strength 14 and 5 MPa after heating. For titanium cast in phosphate bonded investment, the hardness on its top surface was 655 Hv, the tensile strength was 379 MPa, the elongation was 19.4%, and the surface roughness was 2.29 microm. Athough the thermal expansion of phosphate bonded investment is small, the setting expansion is large enough to compensate for the shrinkage of titanium castings. As its thermal expansion at T >/= 600 degrees C was constant and its heating-cooling cycle was almost reversible, these two properties can reduce the thermal shock and thus avoid cracking of the investment.

The effects of different types of investments on the alpha-case layer of titanium castings

Different types of investments affect the formation of the alpha-case (alpha-case) layer on titanium castings. This alpha-case layer may possibly alter the mechanical properties of cast titanium, which may influence the fabrication of removable and fixed prostheses. The formation mechanism for the alpha-case layer is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 3 types of investments on the microstructure, composition, and microhardness of the alpha-case layer on titanium castings. Fifteen wax columns with a diameter of 5 mm and a length of 40 mm were divided into 3 groups of 5 patterns each. Patterns were invested using 3 types of investment materials, respectively, and were cast in pure titanium. The 3 types of materials tested were SiO(2)-, Al(2)O(3)-, and MgO-based investments. All specimens were sectioned and prepared for metallographic observation. The microstructure and composition of the surface reaction layer of titanium castings were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The surface microhardness (VHN) for all specimens was measured using a hardness testing machine, and a mean value for each group was calculated. The alpha-case layer on titanium castings invested with SiO(2)-, Al(2)O(3)-, and MgO-based investments consisted of 3 layers-namely, the oxide layer, alloy layer, and hardening layer. In this study, the oxide layer and alloy layer were called the reaction layer. The thickness of the reaction layer for titanium castings using SiO(2)-, Al(2)O(3)-, and MgO-based investments was approximately 80 microm, 50 microm, and 14 microm, respectively. The surface microhardness of titanium castings made with SiO(2)-based investments was the highest, and that with MgO-based investments was the lowest. The type of investment affects the microstructure and microhardness of the alpha-case layer of titanium castings. Based on the thickness of the surface reaction layer and the surface microhardness of titanium castings, MgO-based investment materials may be the best choice for casting these materials.

Structure, castability and mechanical properties of commercially pure and alloyed titanium cast in graphite mould

Structure, castability and mechanical properties of commercially pure and alloyed titanium cast in graphite mould

Comparative Analysis on the Precision Fit of Dental Prosthesis between the Variously Fabricated Copings of Nickel-Chromium Alloy, Titanium and Zirconia Ceramic

Precision fit of dental prostheses were compared between the four experimental groups of cast Ni-Cr alloy, cast titanium, milled titanium and milled zirconium by measuring and comparing the mean values of the marginal, axial, occlusal and overall coping-die gaps. The overall, axial and occlusal fit was most precise with the cast Ni-Cr alloy prosthesis. The biologically critical marginal fit was the most precise with the milled zirconium, thus suggesting that the copy-milled zirconia ceramic could serve as an alternative to the cast-metal prosthesis. The statistical variables, such as the groups and the regions, were in association with and had an interaction effect on the adaptability of the prostheses. The marginal gaps correlated with the axial gaps in the cast Ni-Cr alloy and milled titanium groups

Cross-sectional TEM Analysis of Porcelain Fused to Gold-coated Titanium

This study investigated the interfacial microstructure between gold-coated titanium and low-fusing porcelain. The square surfaces of cast titanium split rods were sputter-coated with gold using a sputter coater at 40 mA for 1,000 seconds. Specimens were prepared for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) by cutting and polishing two pieces of the gold-coated split-rod specimens, which were glued and embedded in Cu tubes with an epoxy adhesive. TEM observation was also conducted for the gold-coated specimens after degassing and porcelain fusing. Due to the gold coating, intermetallic compounds of Au-Ti formed under the sputtered gold layer after degassing and porcelain fusing. Ti3Au and Ti3Al layers were also observed beneath the Au-Ti intermetallic compound layer. There was good adhesion of porcelain to the Au-Ti compound and Ti oxides without any gaps or formation of a Ti-deficient intermediate layer, which is normally observed at the titanium-porcelain interface. The results of this TEM study suggested that gold-sputter-coating the cast titanium surface produced a Ti-Au intermetallic compound and suppressed the formation of a Ti-deficient intermediate layer, resulting in improved adherence between porcelain and titanium.

Anti-bacterial effect of titanium cast plates obtained from Mg-O-based investement.

Anti-bacterial effect of titanium cast plates obtained from Mg-O-based investement.

Comparison of Adsorption Force between Titanium Cast Denture Base and Cobalt-chromium Alloy Cast Denture Base in Stone Model

Comparison of Adsorption Force between Titanium Cast Denture Base and Cobalt-chromium Alloy Cast Denture Base in Stone Model

The Influence of Commercially Pure Titanium and Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium Alloy on the Final Shade of Low-fusing Porcelain

The aims of this study were to investigate the influence of commercially pure titanium (PTi) and titanium-aluminum-vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloys (TiA) on the final shade of low-fusing porcelain bonded to them and to compare the shade changes with those of three conventional metal-ceramic systems. A titanium casting unit was used to cast PTi and Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens followed by A3 shade low-fusing porcelain (Noritake) being bonded to them. Gold-based (AuA), palladium-based (PdA), and nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) alloys were cast with an automatic centrifugal casting machine, then A3 shade conventional porcelain material (Vita, VMK 95) was applied to them. Ten specimens of each metal were then fabricated. The CIE L* a* b* color coordinates of the specimens were measured with a spectrophotometer. All alloys had significant color changes when compared with A3 shade tabs. The color differences from the shade tabs were 5.79 for the Ti-6Al-4V group, 6.46 for PdA alloy, 8.12 for AuA alloy, 8.15 for Ni-Cr alloy, and 12.58 for PTi. The specimens differed from the shade tabs primarily because of the differences in a* and b* coordinate values. Predictable shade reproduction of metal-ceramic restorations (MCRs) may be impaired by the underlying metal. The PTi had the greatest color differences among all the tested metal when compared with the shade tabs, whereas the Ti-6Al-4V alloy had the lowest. PTi is more likely to affect the final shade of low-fusing porcelain than Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

Improvement of the Physical Properties of Titanium Castings by Application of Boron Nitride(BN)during Investment Casting

Improvement of the Physical Properties of Titanium Castings by Application of Boron Nitride(BN)during Investment Casting

Transformation Superplasticity of Cast Titanium and Ti-6Al-4V

Samples of unalloyed titanium and Ti-6Al-4V with a cast, coarse-grain structure were subjected to simultaneous mechanical loading and thermal cycling about their transformation range to assess their capability for transformation superplasticity. Under uniaxial tensile loading, high elongations to failure (511 pct for titanium, and 265 pct for Ti-6Al-4V) and an average strain-rate sensitivity exponent of unity are observed. Samples previously deformed superplastically to a strain of 100 pct show no significant degradation in room-temperature mechanical properties as compared to the undeformed state. Biaxial dome bulging tests confirm that transformation superplasticity is activated under thermal cycling and faster than creep deformation. The cast, coarse-grained titanium and Ti-6Al-4V have similar transformation-superplasticity characteristics as wrought or powder-metallurgy materials with finer grains. This may enable superplastic forming of titanium objects directly after the casting step, thus bypassing the complicated and costly thermomechanical processing steps needed to achieve fine-grain superplasticity.

Fracture Resistance of Nd:YAG Laser-welded Cast Titanium Joints with Various Clinical Thicknesses and Welding Pulse Energies

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of Nd:YAG laser-welded cast titanium (Ti) joints with various clinical thicknesses and welding pulse energies. A four-point bending test was used to assess the effects of various specimen thicknesses (1-3 mm) and welding pulse energies (11-24 J) on the fracture resistance of Nd:YAG laser-welded Ti dental joints. Fracture resistance was evaluated in terms of the ratio of the number of fractured specimens to the number of tested specimens. As for the fracture frequencies, they were compared using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Morphology of the fractured Ti joints was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Results showed that decreasing the specimen thickness and/or increasing the welding pulse energy, i.e., increasing the welded area percentage, resulted in an increase in the fracture resistance of the Ti joint. Where fracture occurred, the fracture site would be at the center of the weld metal.

Pure titanium casting into titanium-modified calcia-based and magnesia-based investment molds

Calcia is the most stable oxide for molten titanium at high temperature. In this study, pure titanium casting into calcia- and magnesia-based investments was investigated. Experimental results show that adding the proper amount of titanium powder into calcia- and magnesia-based investments can increase the thermal expansion value, at 800 °C, of both investments. Pure titanium castings in the calcia-based group have better expression at the interface reactivity and the VH. However, castings in magnesia-based group have better results for the investing and the dimensional accuracy.

Effect of toothbrushing on titanium surface: An approach to understanding surface properties of brushed titanium

Summary Objectives This in vitro study aimed to characterize the surface morphology and composition of toothbrushed titanium casting and thereby to elucidate interactions between the metal and abrasive material in dentifrice. Methods Specimens were cast from CP Ti ingots and then mirror-finished. Two fluoride-free toothpastes containing crystalline CaHPO 4 ·2H 2 O and amorphous SiO 2 particles as abrasive were slurried with distilled water (15 g/30 mL). While toothbrushes were reciprocated at 120 strokes/min for 350,400 strokes, the specimens were brushed with the respective slurries under a load of 2.45 N. The brushed and non-brushed surfaces were characterized by means of SPM, EPMA, and XPS. SPM data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Tukey test ( p Results Irrespective of toothpastes, toothbrushing had a significant influence on surface roughness. The CaHPO 4 ·2H 2 O-containing paste produced much rougher surface than the SiO 2 -containing paste. Both the surfaces were chemically altered due to reactions with the respective abrasive materials. Abrading chips had dimensions of micron to submicron order. A number of chips were attached to abrasive particles. Significance The alterations of surface morphology and composition may affect biological responses of titanium in the oral environment. Dentifrice with lower abrasivity might be advisable for daily oral hygiene practice of patients with dental titanium devices.

Marginal accuracy of titanium copings fabricated by casting and CAD/CAM techniques

Advances in computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology purportedly enhance the marginal fit of dental restorations. However, little information is available on the marginal accuracy of restorations manufactured with various CAD/CAM systems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the marginal accuracy and refinement time of titanium copings fabricated by 3 different CAD/CAM systems relative to standard casting techniques. Sixty-four stone die duplicates of a human maxillary central incisor, prepared for a metal-ceramic crown, with a uniform chamfer design, were divided into 4 groups (n=16). The specimens were restored with titanium copings using CAD/CAM systems Pro 50 (PRO), DCS (DCS), and Everest (EVE). A conventional titanium casting technique, Biotan (BIO), served as a control. Vertical and horizontal discrepancies between restoration margins and the preparations were each measured before and after manual refinement. This refinement was completed using a disclosing agent and by removing the internal positive defects of the copings. The marginal discrepancies of the copings were evaluated at 4 standard areas using 10 measurements, for a total of 160 measurements of each margin. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used for analyzing marginal accuracy. The coping refinement time was analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Wilcoxon rank sum tests (alpha=.05). The marginal discrepancies (microm) ranged from 32.9 to 127.8 before and from 3.4 to 58.4 after the manual refinement of copings. Manual refinement significantly improved the marginal accuracy (P<.0001) when compared with the initial fabrication. The relative (%) gain of marginal accuracy was PRO, 74.1%; DCS, 69.7%; EVE, 68.7%; and the control, BIO, 69.2%. The median duration of manual refinement time in minutes was 6.0 for PRO, 9.5 for DCS, 4.0 for EVE, and 4.0 for BIO (Kruskal-Wallis-test: P<.0001). Manual adjustment significantly improves the marginal accuracy of CAD/CAM system-fabricated titanium copings. The highest marginal accuracy was achieved with the DCS system, using a longer refinement time.

Titanium investiment casting defects: A metallographic overview

Although titanium castings have been used in aerospace structures for decades, those uses have largely been in secondary applications. Expanding the use of titanium castings in critical applications would be encouraged by a better understanding of investment casting defects in titanium alloy systems. This paper describes several types of casting-related defects that are identified as potentially affecting the design life of a structure: inclusions, voids, and weld repair defects.