Effect of casting methods on castability of pure titanium

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Casting Technology

Background:

• Titanium's biocompatibility and strength make it ideal for dental and medical implants.
• Achieving high-fidelity titanium castings is crucial for implant success.
• Evaluating different casting techniques is essential for optimizing titanium fabrication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the castability of pure titanium using polyester mesh and wax patterns.
• To assess the effectiveness of three distinct casting machines: pressure (dual-chamber), pressure (single-chamber), and centrifugal.
• To determine the optimal casting method for producing accurate titanium components.

Main Methods:

• Two pattern types were tested: polyester mesh (20x22mm, 100 squares) and wax plates (20x20mm, 1.0-1.5mm thickness).
• Phosphate-bonded investment material specifically for titanium was used.
• Casting experiments involved three machines: dual-chamber pressure, single-chamber pressure, and centrifugal (3000 rpm).
• Pure titanium (>99.5%) was cast at a 100°C mold temperature.

Main Results:

• The centrifugal casting method exhibited the highest castability among the tested techniques.
• Mesh pattern castability was assessed by the number of cast segments.
• Wax plate castability was evaluated using digital X-ray imaging.

Conclusions:

• Centrifugal casting is the most effective method for achieving high-quality pure titanium castings.
• The choice of casting machine significantly impacts the fidelity of titanium components.
• Further research could explore pattern design optimization for enhanced titanium casting.