Mechanical studies on casting titanium alloy denture base

The mechanical properties of the Akers type clasp, bar and frame made by the newly developed Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy were studied in order to obtain the indices for designing the cast partial denture base. In the case of the clasp, the bending strength of the Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy and pure Ti was lower than that of the Co-Cr alloy. The Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy and pure Ti may have the same retentive force as the gold type IV alloy because its bending behavior was similar to that of the gold alloy. In the cyclic bending test, the permanent deflection of the Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy was lower than that of the pure Ti and Co-Cr alloy. It had almost the same value as that of the gold alloy. Considering the permanent deflection and fracture, it is preferable that the undercut of the abutment tooth for the Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy clasp is 0.50mm or less. The Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy bars and frame showed the same bending behavior and strain distribution as the gold alloy. In the case of the Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy bar thickened about 30%, the strain was decreased and close to that of the Co-Cr alloy. It was suggested that the Ti-20Cr-0.2Si alloy bar or frame should be designed like the gold alloy.