NOBLE METAL & BASE METAL

DENTAL CASTING ALLOYS

DR. MOHAMED KANDIL
[email protected]
[email protected]
Introduction
1- Noble metal
2- Base metals
 Metals

Noble Metals Base Metals

 NOBLE METALS

• Noble metals are those with

good metallic surface and
retain their surfaces in dry air.

• They have good resistance to

oxidation, tarnish and
corrosion during heating,
casting, soldering or when
used in the mouth.
 NOBLE METALS
▸ Noble metals are those with
good metallic surface and retain
their surfaces in dry air.

▸ Metals are considered noble

according to their inertness and
to their high position in the
electromotive series.
 NOBLE METALS

Position in the periodic table:

The noble metals are metals of the platinum group along with gold.
The platinum group comprises six metals which are platinum (Pt) ,
palladium (Pd), osmium (Os), ruthenium (Ru) , iridium (Ir) and rhodium
(Rh) .
Precious metals are noble metals together with silver
 NOBLE METALS

Those metals of the platinum group are made of two triads:

The light group The heavy group

Ruthenium Osmium
Rhodium Iridium
Palladium Platinum
 NOBLE METALS

▸ Platinum and palladium are the metals most commonly

used in dentistry from their groups and they are the
heaviest of their groups with the lowest melting point
of their groups of 1550-17550C respectively.
 BASE METALS

• Common metals that is not

considered precious, such as
copper, tin, or zinc.

• Usually they have poor tarnish

and corrosion resistance.

• Some base metals are capable

of forming a passive layer
(passive oxide layer) that
protects from corrosion e.g
chromium, titanium.
Dental Alloys
1- Noble metal alloys
2- Base metal alloys
 Alloys

Noble metal alloys Base metal alloys

Noble metal Base metal Base metal Noble metal
ingredients ingredients ingredients ingredients
≥25% wt ≥75% wt
IDEAL REQUIREMENTS OF CASTING ALLOYS

Functional Working
requirements requirements
I-FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (SERVICE)

1- Stiffness: It is of great importance in long span

bridges and partial denture framework. For metal
ceramic restorations, it is important that little
deflection under stress occur to support the brittle
porcelain veneer.

2- Resilience: Capacity to absorb energy without plastic

deformation.
3- High yield strength: in order to resist permanent
deformation in the mouth.
I-FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (SERVICE)

4- Compatibility to porcelain: It should be

compatible to porcelain in the following
aspects:

i-Coefficient of thermal expansion

ii-Modulus of elasticity

iii-Oxides formed to help bonding.

iv-The components must not

discolor the porcelain.

5- Tarnish resistance: The metal must not

dissolve in the mouth fluids or liberate
toxic corrosion products.
I-FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS: (SERVICE)

6- Fatigue resistance: The fatigue strength and fatigue limit

should be high to resist cyclic loading.

7- Sag resistance: It is the resistance of the alloy to plastic

and creep flow under its own weight during porcelain
firing and soldering.

8- Fit: It is the ability of the casting to reproduce accurately the

pattern form which it is constructed.
Accurate fit resists leakage and help retention. Casting
shrinkage affect fitness.
II-WORKING REQUIREMENTS: (MANIPULATION)

1- Ease of casting: The alloy must

be easily melted, with minimal
slag formation on the melt.
Also it must possess sufficient
fluidity and high density to
rapidly fill the mold.

2- Ease of soldering (ease of

brazing): The liquid solder must
wet the alloy surface readily
and form a true adhesive bond.
II-WORKING REQUIREMENTS: (MANIPULATION)

3- Ease of burnishability:

▸ An important requirement of
crowns and inlays is that, the
margins can be manipulated with
the dentist burnishing tools.
(depends on the yield strength and
ductility)

▸ Burnishability index= %elongation

Yield strength
II-WORKING REQUIREMENTS: (MANIPULATION)

4- Biocompatability:
▸ They should be non-allergic and should not contain
toxic components which can be dangerous in the
dental lab.
NOBLE ALLOYS
1- Gold alloys
2- Silver palladium alloys
3- palladium silver alloys
1- GOLD ALLOYS
GOLD ALLOYS

▸ Pure gold is soft and ductile, so it is not used for

cast dental restorations and appliances.
 GOLD ALLOYS

Noble Metals Ingredients Base Metals Ingredients

1- Gold (Au) 1- Copper (Cu)

2- Platinum (Pt) 2- Zinc (Zn)
3-palladium (Pd) 3-Indium (In)
4- Iridium (Ir) 4- Tin (Sn)
5- Ruthenium (Ru) 5-Iron (Fe)
6- Rhodium (Rh)
7- Osmium (Os)
8- Silver (Ag)
TEXT

NOBLE METAL INGREDIENTS IN GOLD ALLOYS

1- Gold (Au):

- Melting point 1063 0C, Specific

gravity 19.32.

- It is a noble metal, soft, malleable and

ductile.

- It has strong metallic luster and rich

yellow color.

- It has low strength and hardness.

2- Platinum (Pt):

-Melting point 1755 0C, Specific gravity

21.37.

-It is tough, malleable and ductile noble

metal.

-It has bluish white color.

-It increases the melting point of the

alloy.

- Metallurgically:
1- platinum forms a solid solution with
gold but with increased tendency to
coring.
2- Ppt hardening can occur by reaction
with copper.

- It helps the corrosion resistance of the

alloy.
3- Palladium (Pd):
-Melting point 1555 0C, Specific
gravity 11.5
- Malleable and ductile.
- White in color.
- Often used as a replacement for
platinum, since it is less expensive.
-Palladium as low as 5% has a
pronounced effect on whitening the
color of gold alloy and it decreases
the greening of silver and reddening
of the copper.
- It is also effective in preventing
corrosion of Ag in the oral
environment.
4- Silver (Ag):
-Melting point 960 0C, Specific gravity 10.4
- Malleable and ductile precious metal.
- Stronger and harder than gold but softer
than copper.
- White in color, so it tends to whiten the
alloys but can cause greening effect. Also,
it overcome the reddening effect of
copper.
-Molten silver can dissolve gases such as
O2 leading to porosity in the casting.
-Allows tarnishing to occur.
-Metallurgically, Ag slightly increases the
strength and hardness of the alloy by
solution hardening.
5- Iridium (Ir):
-Melting point 2440 0C, Specific
gravity 22.4
-It may be present in a
percentage of 0.005% which is
found either as an impurity with
platinum and palladium or added
as a grain refiner producing a
lareger number of small grains
with higher yield strength.
-Ruthenium, Rhodium may play
the same effect.

N.B:
Osmium : very expensive, not
used
TEXT

BASE METAL INGREDIENTS IN GOLD ALLOYS

1- Copper (Cu):

- Melting point 1083 0C.

- Malleable and ductile metal with a

characteristic red color.

- Imparts strength and hardness to gold

alloys.

- It is an important factor in heat

treatment.
2- Zinc (Zn):
-Melting point 419 0C, Specific
gravity 7.13.
-Acts as a scavenger , HOW??
Zinc oxidizes more readily than the
other constituents of gold alloy, and
can be removed as a slag from the
molten alloy. Thus zinc improves the
castability of the alloy.

-The presence of an oxide of copper

in the casting is undesirable since it
embrittles the alloy.
3- Indium (In):
-Used as a substitute of zinc.
-Produces oxides in porcelain
alloys which help bonding with
porcelain.

4- Tin (Sn):
It is added in small amounts to:
. Produce oxides which help
bonding with porcelain
. Combine with platinum and
palladium producing hardening
effect.
5- Iron (Fe):
May be added in very small
quantities, 1% with porcelain
alloys in order to form
precipitation hardening
Pt3Fe.
Classification of gold alloys
I- Classification according to gold content:

a- Carat specification: The carat of an alloy is the parts of

pure gold in alloy in 24 parts of alloy.

b- Fineness: The fineness of a gold alloy is the parts per

thousand of pure gold. Pure gold is 1000 fine.
II- Classification according to description
( color):

a- Yellow gold: Yellow colored by virtue of gold content

present, more than 60%.
b- White gold: White but with gold more than 50%.

III- Classification according to GOLD content

a- Conventional gold: gold more than 50%.

b- Low gold (economy): gold less than than 50%.
III- Classification according to
function or uses:
a- Type I (Soft): Small inlays, easily
burnished and subjected to very
slight stress e.g gingival and
interproximal inlays.

b- Type II (medium): Inlays

subjected to moderate stress such as
thick ¾ crowns, and full crowns.

c- Type III (Hard): Inlays subjected

to high stresses, thin ¾ crowns, full
crowns and short span bridges.

d- Type IV (Extra hard): Inlays

subjected to very high stresses,
partial denture frameworks, and long
span bridges (partial denture type)
The Average Composition Of The Four Types Is Represented As
Follows:

Au Cu Ag% Pt Pd Zn
% % % % %

Type I 87 4 9 ------ 0.5 -------

Type II 76 8 13 ------ 2.5 0.5

Type III 70 10 15 1 3 1

Type IV 66 15 12 2 3 2
THE COOLING CURVE OF PURE METAL COMPARED TO AN ALLOY

Pure metal has a freezing point, while an alloy freezes over a range, where it
remains in a liquid plus solid phases for sometime over a temperature range.
•Phase above the liquidus line is liquid
•Phase below the solidus line is solid
•Phases between the liquidus and solidus lines are (liquid +solid)
 THE GOLD COPPER SYSTEM:

‣ In certain solid solution systems, the elements are

completely soluble in the liquid state
‣ In the solid state, at lower temperatures the Au &Cu
atoms diffuse and allow the disordered solid solution to
change into an ordered solid solution.(Solid state
reaction)
 Ingot, metal bar

Crystal = grain (Space lattice)

Unit cell
Heat Treatment Of Gold Alloys

• Heat treatment is a method of modifying the mechanical

properties of alloys by heating and controlling the rate
of cooling in the solid state.
• Gold alloys can be significantly hardened if the alloy
contains a sufficient amount of copper. Types I and II
usually do not harden, but types III and IV respond to
heat treatment.
• It allows for atomic diffusion in the solid state by heating
the solid below its solidus temperature.
Types III & IV can be heat treated into soft and hard
forms.
This is due to the fact that AU/CU ratio is suitable only in
types III & IV alloys to produce the ordered structure
between these two metals that is necessary for
hardening gold alloys (AuCu3 & AuCu)
 There are two processes
Softening heat ttt.
Hardening heat ttt.
(Solution heat treatment)
(Age hardening)
10 min.
700 0C Softening heat treatment
450 0C for 2 min
quenched 450-250 0C for 30 min

in water
quenched in water
disordered
Super lattice (ordered
(F.C.C.) F.C.T in F.C.C.)
• Softening heat treatment is associated with decrease in
yield strength, hardness and increase in ductility.
• It is indicated for structures that are to be shaped or
cold worked inside or outside the mouth.
• Hardening heat treatment (Age hardening): is
associated with an increase in yield strength, hardness
and decrease in ductility.
• If the alloys are cooled slowly, the disordered
substitutional solid solution becomes ordered and a
superlattice forms either Au-Cu3 or Au-Cu.
The most important factor in heat treatment is the
relative ratio between the percentage of copper and
gold rather than their absolute percentages

e.g. An alloy having 60% gold and 10% cu is heat

treatable even though the Cu percentage is less than
12%. The ratio of Cu:Au is 10:60 which is greater than
the 12:88 required in the diagram.
Other precious metal alloys for inlays, crowns and bridges:
A- Silver-palladium alloys:
These are crown and bridge alloys which are silver and
palladium and contain no gold or very little amount of gold
from 10-15%. The properties of such alloys are comparable
to type III and type IV gold alloys.
B-Palladium- silver alloys:
These are white metal ceramic alloys in which the content
of palladium is higher than silver e.g palladium 60% and
silver 30% with other with other metals as tin, indium,
gallium as balances.
The problem with such alternative alloys are, basically:
-Their lower density thus requiring greater centrifugal force for
casting.
-Low Burnishability.
-Their tendency to absorb gases during melting and casting
leading to porosity.
Thus, specialized equipment for melting and casting are
required.
Recycling Noble metal casting alloys:
They are so stable in the mouth so they can be recasted
for 2 or3 times without a change in composition.
The only elements likely to get lost are the more volatile
base metals as Zn, In and Fe in metal ceramic alloys.
This can be treated by the addition of at least equal
amounts of the new alloy to the scrap when recasting.
Thank You
BASE METAL ALLOYS
1- Cobalt- chromium alloys (introduced in 1928)
2- Nickel-chromium alloys (introduced later)
3- Titanium alloys (recently)
What are base metal alloys?

These are alloys where the base metals are the main
constituents. Usually, they do not contain gold or other
noble metals because of the increased cost of noble
metals all over the world. They have been introduced
in dentistry to substitute for gold alloys Type III and IV
Advantages Disadvantages

‣ Increased strength ‣ Increased melting

temperature
‣ Low price
‣ Increased hardness
‣ High tarnish and
corrosion resistance ‣ Decreased density
→Technique sensitive
1- COBALT-CHROMIUM ALLOYS
2- NICKEL-CHROMIUM ALLOYS
Major ingredients:

v Co-Cr ( Co-Cr-Ni)
v Ni-Cr (Ni-Cr-Co)

Minor ingredients
‣ Carbon (0.2%)
‣ Molybdenum (3-6%)
‣ Tungsten
‣ Boron
I-Major ingredients(90% by weight):

A-Chromium:
- It is responsible for resistance to tarnish and
corrosion by formation of passive layer which
is a thin uniform non porous and adherent
layer of chromium oxide.
- A minimum of 12% chromium is required to form this passive
layer.

- Meanwhile, a maximum of 30% chromium is the limit of

solubility of chromium in cobalt. Additional chromium would
produce a highly brittle phase known as δ –phase
B-Cobalt :

- Used interchangeably with nickel

- Responsible for the increase of modulus of elasticity,

strength, and hardness.
C-Nickel:

- Used interchangeably with cobalt.

- Responsible for the increase in the modulus of

elasticity, strength, and hardness, but to lesser extent
than cobalt.

- Responsible for the ductility of the alloy compared to

cobalt-chromium alloy.
II- Minor ingredients (10% by weight):

A-Carbon (0.2%):
Carbon can combine with other alloying elements forming
carbides at grain boundaries→ increasing strength and hardness
of the alloy.

** If less than 0.2% gives an alloy with low strength, and

hardness.

** If more than 0.2% gives a too hard and brittle alloy.

B-Molybdenum(3-6%):
-Acts as a grain refiner: increases strength and hardness.

C-Boron:
Acts as a deoxidizer, increases hardness, decreases
density and solidus temperature.

D-Silicon and manganese:

- Increases fluidity of the molten metal→ better
castability
E-Beryllium (specifically exists in nickel chromium
alloy):

-Acts as grain refiner

-1% lowers the melting range of the alloy by

100oC, improves the fluidity of the molten alloy,
thus improving its castability.
F-Aluminum

-Specifically exists in nickel chromium alloy

- Aluminum and nickel form Nickel Alumide (Intermetallic

compound), precipitation of this compound is responsible for
the increase of strength (precipitation hardening)
3- TITANIUM ALLOYS
Titanium forms a stable oxide layer that repassivates in
order of nanoseconds increasing the corrosion
resistance and biocomptability.

Forms used:
a-Commercially pure titanium(C.p.Ti)
b-Alloys as:
-Ti-6Al-4V
-Ti-V
-Ti-Cu
-Ti-Pd
Properties
Physical Base metal alloys Gold alloys
Properties CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti Type III and IV
alloys
Resistance Excellent Excellent
to tarnish Due to the presence Due to presence of
of passive layer noble metals (High
and electrode potential)
Cr2O3 in Co/Cr and
corrosion Ni/Cr alloys Gold [noble metal]
TiO2 In Cp Ti and Ti Type III 70% Type IV
alloys 65%
Ti will repassivate in Platinum [noble
nanoseconds, if the metal]
passive layer is Type III 1% Type IV
scratched 2%
Palladium
Type III 3% Type IV
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti Type III and IV
alloys
Color Lustrous silvery white -Yellow or white
if properly finished - Yellow color is due to
and polished presence of gold.

-Copper: it deepens the

yellow color.

-White color is due to

the presence of silver,
palladium , Platinum
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and
IV
Melting range: Co/Cr 1400 – 1500 0C 800 –
Ni/Cr 1300 0C 10500C
Cp/Ti 1700 0C
Its alloying decreases
its melting range (Be).
Density
-Density affects the 7 - 8 gm/cm3 for
alloy castability Co/Cr & Ni/Cr 15 – 18 gm/
- High density alloys 4.5 gm/cm3 for cm3
will flow faster into Cp Ti + Ti alloys
the mold forming
complete casting (Technique sensitive)
more easily.
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti Type III and IV
alloys

Casting shrinkage 2.3% 1.6%

Thermal shrinkage
affects the Silicate or Gypsum bonded
selection of the phosphate bonded investment.
investment which investment.
will expand to
compensate for it
Mechanical Base metal alloys Gold alloys
properties CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti Type III and IV
alloys
Modulus of 250X103 MPa for 75 to100X103 MPa
elasticity CoCr &NiCr They are used in
It affects the They are used in thick section to give
thickness of the thin sections the same effects as
restoration base metal alloys
For Ti:100x10 MPa
3 [i.e. to flex the same
amount as base
metal alloys]
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and IV
Yield strength 600 – 700 MPa 300-500 MPa

Ultimate T.S. 800 MPa

700 MPa
1 - 2%
% Elongation N.B Increasing Nickel
contents increases 8 – 20%
ductility. Gold alloys are
Hardness 350 VHN more tough.
(1/3 greater than gold 250 VHN
alloys) easy in finishing
difficult in finishing and and polishing but
polishing but they retain they retain surface
surface for longer time finish for shorter
time
MANIPULATION
 Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and IV
Casting Base metal alloys are technique Generally
sensitive due to: gold alloys
• Decreased density → difficult castability. are not
technique
• Increased melting temperature →
difficult castability. sensitive

• Increased hardness → difficult finishing

and polishing.
• Casting of Ti alloys should be done in
well controlled vacuum to avoid:
a-Formation of thick, oxygen enriched and
hard surface oxide layer, which decreases
ductility.
b-Nitrogen incorporation in the alloy, if
more than 0.1 nitrogen is in included a
brittle casting is obtained.

• Precautions should be taken not to pick

up carbon during casting to avoid
embitterment
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and IV

A-Investment Carbon free phosphate bonded Gypsum bonded

investment mixed with special
investment or
liquid or silicate bonded phosphate bonded
investment.
investment mixed
Special liquid is colloidal silica with water (why?).
solution to increase
expansion.
Metallic ring which
B-Casting Rubber ring [removed after
supports the
ring investing] investment during
casting

Ceramic crucible Carbon or ceramic

C-Melting Give reason: carbon crucible is crucible
crucible not used for melting base
metal alloys
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and IV

D- Melting For CoCr & NiCr alloys: Flame

Flame Gas air touch
i- Oxygen acetylene flame [middle zone]
It should be properly adjusted Reduced –blue
Too much oxygen= oxidation zone
Too much acetylene=carbide
precipitation
ii- Electric melting.
For Cp Ti + Ti alloys electric
melting
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and IV

E- Casting For CoCr & NiCr alloys: Air pressure

machine Centrifugal casting casting machine
machine.

For Cp Ti + Ti alloys
Special designed casting
machine using
centrifugal and air
pressure casting force
under well controlled
vacuum atmosphere
Recently
Spark erosion: series of
sparks for shaping a piece
of titanium
Property Base metal alloys Gold alloys
CoCr- NiCr- Ti +Ti alloys Type III and IV
F-Finishing -Sand blasting: Acid Pickling:
and Mechanical smoothness of the Place the gold
polishing casting. casting in warm
-Electrolytic polishing: HCL, to remove
The restoration is placed as surface oxides
anode where rough surface
is depleted expressing Further Polishing
smooth shiny surface. is then done by
Give reason rubber cups and
Acid pickling should not be polishing paste
performed for base metals?
to avoid acid attack to the
passive layer of base metal
alloys
Health Hazards Of Base Metal
Alloys

Beryllium is carcinogenic to the technician, leading to the

fibrosis of the lungs so free beryllium alloys are introduced.

Nickel is highly allergic

Thank You
84
 Dental Alloys

Cast Wrought

Dental wires
Fixed partial denture
Instruments
Crown
Orthodontic brackets
Removable partial denture
Stainless steel crown
Etc.
Etc.

85
WROUGHT ALLOYS

Cast

Mechanical work

Wrought

Examples: dental wire, orthodontic brackets,

endodontic instruments(files and reamers),
….etc

86
A cast gold alloy Same alloy in wire fo

87
TYPES OF WIRES USED IN
DENTISTRY
Stainless steel
Wrought cobalt-chromium-nickel alloys

Nickel-chromium

Nickel-titanium

Beta- titanium

Gold alloys
 **WROUGHT STAINLESS STEEL ALLOY

“Steel” = Alloy of iron and carbon (I.S.S)

“Stainless Steel” = Alloys of iron and carbon that contain

chromium(›11%), nickel, manganese, and other

metals.

Applications: Orthodontic appliances, Endodontic

instruments, Stainless steel crown, Denture clasp, etc.

89
Stainless steel orthodontic wires

90
‣ **Chromium amount must be between 12% and 28%
for optimal corrosion resistance.
-

Cr<11% à not enough to form chromium oxide passive

layer

-Cr>28% à formation of chromium-carbides (δ phase) à

embrittlement the steel

91
 Cr resists corrosion well because of the formation of
a chromium oxide layer on the surface of the metal
(passive layer) which prevents further reaction with
the metal below the surface.

• Oxide layer is characterized by being:

-Thin
-Strongly adherent
-Impervious
-Lustrous
-Not visible even at high magnifications
 TYPES OF STAINLESS STEEL
ALLOYS
‣ Austenitic (F.C.C) 18/8 alloy [above 912°c]
18% chromium and 8% nickel

Best corrosion resistance

‣ Ferritic (B.C.C) 15-25% chromium

‣ Martensitic (B.C.T) 12-18% Chromium
Hard and brittle
AUSTENITIC STAINLESS
STEEL
‣ 18% chromium
‣ 8% nickel
‣ 0.08-0.2% carbon
‣ 72% iron
‣ Used in dentistry for dental appliance in the mouth.
‣ Stable above 912°c
STABILIZING AGENTS
-Ti, Silicon, Niobium, Tantalum and Manganese in small
amount to stabilize the Austenitic form at room
temperature.

‣ Stabilized St.St has:

‣ Greater ductility
‣ Easy to form
‣ Greater tarnish and corrosion resistance
‣ Overcome sensitization (weld decay)
 SENSITIZATION (WELD DECAY)
‣ If st.st is over heated (650°c)Cr will react with Carbon
and form Chromium Carbides precipitate at the grain
boundaries causing embrittlement of the alloy and
loss of passivity so the alloy will undergo tarnish and
corrosion.

‣ 650°c is called the critical temperature.

‣ To avoid Sensitization

1- use alloy of lower Carbon content.

2- add titanium (stabilizing agent).

3-spot welding for minimal time.

4- use low fusing solder.

PROPERTIES OF STAINLESS
STEEL
‣ 1- Elastic modulus 179x 10 3 MPa
‣ 2- yield strength 1579 MPa
‣ 3- Tensile strength 2117 Mpa
‣ Good tarnish and corrosion resistance
‣ Highest spring rate and lowest spring back

98