Changes in surface properties of dental alloys with atmospheric plasma irradiation

Chemical transitions after atmospheric pressure plasma irradiation were investigated by evaluating intermolecular attractions and atomic and molecular reactions. Gold, titanium and stainless-steel alloy samples were ground with #800 grit SiC waterproof paper and nitrogen gas atmospheric plasma irradiation was conducted. The surface free energies of the treated alloys were calculated and compared statistically. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis was performed.The surface free energies of all metal surfaces treated by plasma irradiation were 1.5-times higher than those of the untreated metals. The energy of the hydrogen bonding component increased, and all alloy surfaces were coated with metal oxide after only a short period of plasma irradiation. The surfaces oxidized by plasma exhibited a high active energy, mainly due to an increase in the hydrogen bonding component. Reactions with oxygen in the air were promoted on the clean surfaces with exposed reactive elements.