[A study on the abrasive resistance of titanium ion plated scaler]

There are few studies on the abrasive efficiency and the cutting quality of scalers. The author describes the characteristics of wear resistance of the scalers ion plated with TiN. Three different types of scalers were used. The first type of scalers were made of high-carbon stainless steel and here called N.T.. The second type ones were N.T. ion plated with TiN at 400 degrees C and here called Ti.400. The third type ones were ion plated N.T. with TiN at 180 degrees C and here called Ti.180. This investigation was used evaluator's scores which had done the reproducible test and the scanning electron microscope to evaluate the cutting quality of scalers. Ti.180 were divided into four groups. In Group 1, they came from manufacture. In Group 2, 3, and 4, when they were dulled under experimental conditions, they were resharpened. The results are: 1. In the reproducible test of cutting quality, there was a correlation between the cutting quality and their reproducibility. The higher was the cutting quality, the better their reproducibility was. 2. The cutting quality of Ti.400 grew duller than that of N.T. and in the SEM, the edge deformation of Ti.400 was more than that of N.T.. 3. Group 1; The cutting quality of both types of the scalers was same at 200 strokes. After 300 strokes, Ti.180 did not grow duller than N.T.. As the scaling strokes increased, the edge deformation of N.T. became more conspicuous than Ti.180 in the SEM. 4. Group 2, 3 and 4; In scaling after 200 strokes, the cutting quality of Ti.180 was sharper than N.T., and the wear facet of N.T. was extensive as compared to Ti.180.