Surface bond strength in nickel based alloys

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Dental Materials

Background:

• The longevity of porcelain fused to metal restorations depends on the ceramic-to-alloy bond strength.
• Imported non-precious alloys are increasingly expensive for dental applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the flexural bond strength of ceramic to an indigenous nickel-based alloy (NFTDC, Hyderabad) versus an imported alloy (Heraenium S).
• To determine the suitability of the indigenous alloy as a cost-effective alternative.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an Instron testing machine with a three-point loading system to measure bond strength.
• Performed a Student t test to analyze the statistical significance of the differences in bond strength.

Main Results:

• The indigenous NFTDC alloy exhibited a mean flexural bond strength of 81.75 (SD=12.25).
• The imported Heraenium S alloy showed a mean flexural bond strength of 84.42 (SD=10.35).
• The Student t test (t=0.644) indicated no statistically significant difference between the bond strengths of the two alloys.

Conclusions:

• The indigenous NFTDC alloy demonstrates comparable bond strength to the imported Heraenium S alloy.
• The NFTDC alloy presents a cost-effective solution for porcelain fused to metal restorations, addressing the rising costs of imported materials.