Shear bond strength between Ni-Cr alloy bonded to a ceramic substrate

Shear bond strength between Ni-Cr alloy bonded to a ceramic substrate Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength between a Ni-Cr alloy and a ceramic system submitted or not to thermocycling. Materials and methods: Forty-eight cylinder blocks of Ni-Cr with 3.0 mm diameter by 4.0 mm hight and 48 disc-shaped specimens (7.0 mm in diameter by 2.0 mm thick) composed of ceramic were prepared. The Ni-Cr cylinder blocks were randomised in two groups of 24 specimens each. One group was submitted to air-particle abrasion (sandblasting) with 50 mu m Al2O3 (0.4-0.7 MPa) during 20 s, and the other group was submitted to mechanical retentions with carbide burrs. Each group was subdivided into other two groups (n = 12), submitted or not to thermocycling (500 cycles, 5-55 degrees C). The cylinder blocks were bonded to the disc-shaped ceramic specimens under 10 N of load. The shear bond strengths (MPa) were measured using a universal testing machine at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min and 200 kgf of load. The data were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA and Tukey's test). Results: The air-particle abrasion group exhibited significantly higher shear bond strength when compared to drilled group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Thermocycling decreased significantly the bond strengths for all groups tested.

Effects of chemical composition on the corrosion of dental alloys

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the oral environment on the corrosion of dental alloys with different compositions, using electrochemical methods. The corrosion rates were obtained from the current-potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The effect of artificial saliva on the corrosion of dental alloys was dependent on alloy composition. Dissolution of the ions occurred in all tested dental alloys and the results were strongly dependent on the general alloy composition. Regarding the alloys containing nickel, the Ni-Cr and Ni-Cr-Ti alloys released 0.62 mg/L of Ni on average, while the Co-Cr dental alloy released ions between 0.01 and 0.03 mg/L of Co and Cr, respectively.The open-circuit potential stabilized at a higher level with lower deviation (standard deviation: Ni-Cr-6Ti = 32 mV/SCE and Co-Cr = 54 mV/SCE). The potenciodynamic curves of the dental alloys showed that the Ni-based dental alloy with >70 wt% of Ni had a similar curve and the Co-Cr dental alloy showed a low current density and hence a high resistance to corrosion compared with the Ni-based dental alloys. Some changes in microstructure were observed and this fact influenced the corrosion behavior for the alloys. The lower corrosion resistance also led to greater release of nickel ions to the medium. The quantity of Co ions released from the Co-Cr-Mo alloy was relatively small in the solutions. In addition, the quantity of Cr ions released into the artificial saliva from the Co-Cr alloy was lower than Cr release from the Ni-based dental alloys.

Internal fit of two all-ceramic systems and metal-ceramic crowns

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the internal fit (IF) of glass-infiltrated alumina (ICA - In-Ceram Alumina), yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP - IPS e.max ZirCAD), and metal-ceramic (MC - Ni-Cr alloy) crowns. Material and Methods: Sixty standardized resin-tooth replicas of a maxillary first molar were produced for crown placement and divided into 3 groups (n=20 each) according to the core material used (metal, ICA or Y-TZP). The IF of the crowns was measured using the replica technique, which employs a light body polyvinyl siloxane impression material to simulate the cement layer thickness. The data were analyzed according to the surfaces obtained for the occlusal space (OS), axial space (AS) and total mean (TM) using two-way ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparison test (p<0.05). Results: No differences among the different areas were detected in the MC group. For the Y-TZP and ICA groups, AS was statistically lower than both OS and TM. No differences in AS were observed among the groups. However, OS and TM showed significantly higher values for ICA and Y-TZP groups than MC group. Comparisons of ICA and Y-TZP revealed that OS was significantly lower for Y-TZP group, whereas no differences were observed for TM. Conclusions: The total mean achieved by all groups was within the range of clinical acceptability. However, the metal-ceramic group demonstrated significantly lower values than the all-ceramic groups, especially in OS.

Prosthetic misfit of implant-supported prosthesis obtained by an alternative section method

PURPOSE. Adequate passive-fitting of one-piece cast 3-element implant-supported frameworks is hard to achieve. This short communication aims to present an alternative method for section of one-piece cast frameworks and for casting implant-supported frameworks. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Three-unit implant-supported nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) frameworks were tested for vertical misfit (n = 6). The frameworks were cast as one-piece (Group A) and later transversally sectioned through a diagonal axis (Group B) and compared to frameworks that were cast diagonally separated (Group C). All separated frameworks were laser welded. Only one side of the frameworks was screwed. RESULTS. The results on the tightened side were significantly lower in Group C (6.43 +/- 3.24 mu m) when compared to Groups A (16.50 +/- 7.55 mu m) and B (16.27 +/- 1.71 mu m) (P<.05). On the opposite side, the diagonal section of the one-piece castings for laser welding showed significant improvement in the levels of misfit of the frameworks (Group A, 58.66 +/- 14.30 mu m; Group B, 39.4.8 +/- 12.03 mu m; Group C, 23.13 +/- 8.24 mu m) (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Casting diagonally sectioned frameworks lowers the misfit levels. Lower misfit levels for the frameworks can be achieved by diagonally sectioning one-piece frameworks. [J Adv Prosthodont 2012;4:89-92]

Does the casting mode influence microstructure, fracture and properties of different metal ceramic alloys?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the tensile strength, elongation, microhardness, microstructure and fracture pattern of various metal ceramic alloys cast under different casting conditions. Two Ni-Cr alloys, Co-Cr and Pd-Ag were used. The casting conditions were as follows: electromagnetic induction under argon atmosphere, vacuum, using blowtorch without atmosphere control. For each condition, 16 specimens, each measuring 25 mm long and 2.5 mm in diameter, were obtained. Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL) tests were performed using a Kratos machine. Vickers Microhardness (VM), fracture mode and microstructure were analyzed by SEM. UTS, EL and VM data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA. For UTS, alloy composition had a direct influence on casting condition of alloys (Wiron 99 and Remanium CD), with higher values shown when cast with Flame/Air (p < 0.05). The factors "alloy" and "casting condition" influenced the EL and VM results, generally presenting opposite results, i.e., alloy with high elongation value had lower hardness (Wiron 99), and casting condition with the lowest EL values had the highest VM values (blowtorch). Both factors had significant influence on the properties evaluated, and prosthetic laboratories should select the appropriate casting method for each alloy composition to obtain the desired property.

Shear bond strength between different materials bonded with two resin cements

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the shear bond strength between Ni-Cr alloy specimens bonded to air-abraded Ni-Cr, bur-abraded Ni-Cr, etched ceramic and etched enamel substrates using the resin cements RelyX ARC or Enforce. Materials and methods: Ni-Cr specimens were made and sandblasted with Al2O3 airborne-particles. Disc-shaped patterns were made for each of the four experimental substrates: Ni-Cr treated with Al2O3 airborne-particles, Ni-Cr treated with diamond bur abrasion, etched enamel and etched ceramic. Results: Significant differences in shear bond strength were found between the different materials and luting agents evaluated. The Ni-Cr alloy cylinders bonded to Ni-Cr surfaces sandblasted with 50 lm Al2O3 particles and bonded with Enforce achieved the highest bond strength when compared with other substrates (28.9 MPa, p < 0.05). Bur-abraded metal discs had lowest values, regardless the cement used (2.9 and 6.9 MPa for RelyX and Enforce, respectively). Etched enamel and etched ceramic had similar shear bond strengths within cement groups and performed better when RelyX was used. Conclusions: Bonding Ni-Cr to Ni-Cr and ceramic may result in similar and higher bond strength when compared to Ni-Cr/enamel bonding. For metal/metal bonding, higher shear bond strength was achieved with resin cement Enforce, and for metal/ceramic and metal/enamel bonding, RelyX had higher results.

Internal fit of two all-ceramic systems and metal-ceramic crowns

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the internal fit (IF) of glass-infiltrated alumina (ICA - In-Ceram Alumina), yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP - IPS e.max ZirCAD), and metal-ceramic (MC - Ni-Cr alloy) crowns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty standardized resin-tooth replicas of a maxillary first molar were produced for crown placement and divided into 3 groups (n=20 each) according to the core material used (metal, ICA or Y-TZP). The IF of the crowns was measured using the replica technique, which employs a light body polyvinyl siloxane impression material to simulate the cement layer thickness. The data were analyzed according to the surfaces obtained for the occlusal space (OS), axial space (AS) and total mean (TM) using two-way ANOVA with Tukey s multiple comparison test (p<0.05). RESULTS: No differences among the different areas were detected in the MC group. For the Y-TZP and ICA groups, AS was statistically lower than both OS and TM. No differences in AS were observed among the groups. However, OS and TM showed significantly higher values for ICA and Y-TZP groups than MC group. Comparisons of ICA and Y-TZP revealed that OS was significantly lower for Y-TZP group, whereas no differences were observed for TM. CONCLUSIONS: The total mean achieved by all groups was within the range of clinical acceptability. However, the metal-ceramic group demonstrated significantly lower values than the all-ceramic groups, especially in OS.

Biomonitoring study of seasonal anthropogenic influence at the Itamambuca beach (SP, Brazil)

The present work is focused on the study of a seasonal anthropogenic influence on the beach of Itamambuca (Ubatuba, SP, Brazil) carried out using Atherinella brasiliensis as biomonitor. In total 84 fish were caught between July 2004 and February 2005 in different locations at the beach and inside the Itamambuca river. The fish were pooled according to catch and their musculature was analyzed by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) techniques. While the concentration of light (matrix) elements like C and O were obtained using the RBS technique, major (Na, Mg, P, S, Cl, K and Ca) and trace (Si, Al, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Br and Sr) elements were measured by PIXE. The results show that differences were observed for several elemental concentrations of fish tissue between high season (spring-summer) and low season (winter-fall), indicating that increased human activity in the beach during high season may have some impact on the beach ecosystem. The role of the water salinity in the results is also discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Petrogenesis of Cenozoic volcanic rocks in the NW sector of the Gharyan volcanic field, Libya

The north-western sector of the Gharyan volcanic field (northern Libya) consists of trachytic-phonolitic domes emplaced between similar to 41 and 38 Ma, and small-volume mafic alkaline volcanic centres (basanites, tephrites. alkali basalts. hawaiites and rare benmoreites) of Middle Miocene-Pliocene age (similar to 12-2 Ma). Two types of trachytes and phonolites have been recognized on the basis of petrography, mineralogy and geochemistry. Type-1 trachytes and phonolites display a smooth spoon-shaped REE pattern without negative Europium anomalies. Type-2 trachytes and phonolites show a remarkable Eu negative anomaly, higher concentration in HFSE (Nb-Ta-Zr-Hf), REE and Ti than Type-1 rocks. The origin of Type-1 trachytes and phonolites is compatible with removal of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, alkali feldspar, amphibole. magnetite and titanite starting from benmoreitic magmas. found in the same outcrops. Type-2 trachytes and phonolites could be the result of extensive fractional crystallization starting from mafic alkaline magma, without removal of titanite. In primitive mantle-normalized diagrams, the mafic rocks (Mg#= 62-68, Cr up to 514 ppm, Ni up to 425 ppm) show peaks at Nb and Ta and troughs at K. These characteristics, coupled with low Sr-87/Sr-86(i) (0.7033-0.7038) and positive epsilon(Nd) (from +4.2 to + 5.3) features typical of the mafic anorogenic magmas of the northern African plate and of HIMU-OIB-like magma in general. The origin of the mafic rocks is compatible from a derivation from low degree partial melting (3-9%) shallow mantle sources in the spinel/gamet facies. placed just below the rigid plate in the uppermost low-velocity zone. The origin of the igneous activity is considered linked to passive lithospheric thinning related to the development of continental rifts like those of Sicily Channel (e.g.. Pantelleria and Linosa) and Sardinia (e.g., Campidano Graben) in the Central-Western Mediterranean Sea. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols in the city of So Paulo, Brazil: comparisons between polluted and unpolluted periods

The objective of this study was to determine the size and composition of atmospheric aerosols in the downtown area of the city of So Paulo, Brazil, for a polluted and an unpolluted period. Aerosols were sampled with a portable air sampler (PAS), Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI), and Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. At the study site, air quality is poor, especially during the winter, high concentrations of pollutants being emitted primarily by the light- and heavy-duty vehicle fleet. We analyzed mass, black carbon (BC), Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sn, Zr, and Pb. During the polluted period, diurnal PM(10) was higher than nocturnal PM(10), whereas the inverse was true during the unpolluted period. The FPM was rich in BC, S, and Pb, whereas CPM was rich in Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe. Mass balance was performed by category: ammonium sulfate, sodium chloride, crustal material, BC, and other. The PAS-determined FPM was mainly BC. The MOUDI-determined FPM crustal material explained more mass than did ammonium sulfate and BC during the polluted period, whereas ammonium sulfate had the largest mass during the unpolluted period. Crustal material was the major CPM component, followed by ammonium sulfate and BC. During the unpolluted period, FPM concentrations were lower, whereas those of ammonium sulfate were relatively higher, especially at night, and particle number was inversely proportional to particle size. Aerosol growth was more intense during the polluted period.

Multi-element determination in Brazilian honey samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and estimation of geographic origin with data mining techniques

Multi-element analysis of honey samples was carried out with the aim of developing a reliable method of tracing the origin of honey. Forty-two chemical elements were determined (Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, Tl, Co, Ni, Rb, Ba, Be, Bi, U, V, Fe, Pt, Pd, Te, Hf, Mo, Sn, Sb, P, La, Mg, I, Sm, Tb, Dy, Sd, Th, Pr, Nd, Tm, Yb, Lu, Gd, Ho, Er, Ce, Cr) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Then, three machine learning tools for classification and two for attribute selection were applied in order to prove that it is possible to use data mining tools to find the region where honey originated. Our results clearly demonstrate the potential of Support Vector Machine (SVM), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) and Random Forest (RF) chemometric tools for honey origin identification. Moreover, the selection tools allowed a reduction from 42 trace element concentrations to only 5. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Avaliação dos Níveis de Metais, Arsênio e Fósforo em Sedimentos Superficiais Marinhos do Arquipélago dos Alcatrazes (São Sebastião – SP) e das Ilhas das Cabras e Palmas (Ubatuba – SP)

Avaliação dos Níveis de Metais, Arsênio e Fósforo em Sedimentos Superficiais Marinhos do Arquipélago dos Alcatrazes (São Sebastião – SP) e das Ilhas das Cabras e Palmas (Ubatuba – SP) Natasha TraveniskHoffa*, Rubens César Lopes Figueiraa, Denis M. S. Abessab aInstituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico - 191, São Paulo - SP, Brasil bUniversidade Estadual Paulista – Campus Experimental Litoral Paulista, Praça Infante Dom Henrique - s/nº, São Vicente – SP, Brasil *e-mail da autora: tashahoff@gmail.com A obtenção dos valores naturais de metais traço nos sedimentos é uma importante informação para estabelecer valores-guias ou orientadores, que vêm sido utilizados por diversas agências ambientais pelo mundo para definir níveis de contaminação e toxicidade. Este trabalho avaliou os níveis de Al, As, Cr, Cu, P, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb e Zn nas imediações da Estação Ecológica (ESEC) Tupinambás - no Arquipélago de Alcatrazes (São Sebastião – SP) e nos arredores das Ilhas das Cabras e Palmas (Ubatuba – SP). Atualmente, a ESEC encontra-se teoricamente livre de influência antrópica, mas vem passando pelo processo de recategorização para tornar-se Parque Nacional Marinho (PARNAM). A inexistência de dados pretéritos específicos para a região torna este trabalho de relevância ambiental. Foram analisadas as concentrações dos elementos químicos aplicando-se os métodos de digestão ácida parcial e total do sedimento, além de parâmetros sedimentológicos (granulometria, teores de matéria orgânica - MO - e carbonato). Resultados mostraram predominância da fração arenosa nos sedimentos (48,7 - 96,6%). Os teores de carbonato estiveram maiores em Alcatrazes (3,2 - 76,6%) que nos ilhotes (2,2 - 68,1%), tendo o inverso sido observado com os teores de MO, tendo a primeira região apresentado valores entre 0,5 e 12,6%, e a segunda, entre 8,7 e 26,8%. Os níveis de metais mais elevados associados às maiores proporções da fração lamosa nas regiões em estudo. As e P apresentaram comportamento diferenciado, sem correlacionar-se com os demais, indicando uma possível contaminação da região. Ao final, estas concentrações, consideradas naturais, poderão ser utilizadas como dados de controle em futuros estudos ambientais e auxiliar na gestão do futuro PARNAM dos Alcatrazes.