Evaluation and Comparison of Effect of Different Surface Treatments and Varying Alloy Percentage on the Elemental Composition of Ni Cr Base Metal Alloy

Aim: To evaluate and compare the Effect of Different Surface Treatments and Varying Alloy Percentage on The Elemental Composition of Ni Cr Base Metal Alloy.

Study Design: The elemental composition of Ni Cr alloy with different surface treatments (oxidation, sandblasting, silane coupling agent) with varying alloy percentage (100% new, 50% new and 50% old, 100% old once cast) of all specimens were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, V.K Institute Of Dental Sciences, KLE University, Belgaum, Karnataka, India and Indian Institute Of Technology, Mumbai India.

Methodology: Forty five disc shaped Ni Cr alloy specimens were made and subjected to different surface treatments which include oxidation, sandblasting and silane coupling agent application. Elemental composition was evaluated with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysor System (EDX) and surface topography was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at 1500 x magnification.

Results: The elemental composition was significantly different in the casting groups and treatment groups (p < 0.05). The highest mean weight percentage Ni value was recorded for Group A with oxidation treatment. Aluminum-oxide sandblasting of the alloy surface reduced the mean weight percentage for Cr.

Conclusion: Recasting metal alloys may adversely affect surface quality of the Ni Cr alloy.