[Structural studies of veneered palladium alloys with a focus on the ceramometal interface]

Samples of palladium-silver and palladium-copper alloys with ceramic veneers were examined under incident light and scanning electron microscopes in terms of their metallographic properties. Both materials showed a fine grain structure. The palladium-silver alloy had inhomogeneous crystallites. The palladium-copper alloy showed several heterogeneous phases. Wavelength dispersive x-ray analysis was used to record concentration profiles and element distribution patterns. An accumulation of nonprecious components and oxygen was observed in the immediate ceramometal interface. Adjacent to this a largely homogeneous zone was visible which is probably due to the diffusion of nonprecious elements during the different stages of baking. The results lead to conclusions concerning the final finishing after application of the ceramic veneer.