Pre-oxidation of selective-laser-melted titanium dental alloy: effects on surface characteristics and porcelain bonding

The heat treatment of dental alloys prior to porcelain application/veneering has been proposed as a way ensure sufficient oxide scale and promote the porcelain’s adherence in porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) fixed prostheses. present study investigates relationship between bond strength selective-laser-melted (SLM) titanium temperature titanium’s pre-oxidation. SLM Ti-6Al-4V substrates were airborne-particle abraded either left passivate air at room (control) or pre-oxidized furnace under vacuum conditions (10 kPa) temperatures 300, 600, 750, 800 °C. surface characteristics determined using contact profilometry measure profile roughness (Ra), atomic force microscopy for (Sa) Auger electron spectroscopy thickness scale. Dental was applied metal titanium-ceramic assessed according ISO standard 9693-1:2012. metal-ceramic interfaces analyzed with scanning energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Ra Sa values showed strong positive correlation pre-oxidation temperature. scales covering surfaces thickened markedly 750 °C above. However, negatively correlated Room-temperature passivation following abrasion resulted that is well above 9693-1:2012 recommended minimum value systems. Thus, no frameworks necessary application/firing porcelain.