Electrochemical characterization of novel Ag-based brazing alloys for dental applications

Argiro Ntasi; Youssef S Al Jabbari; Wolf Dieter Mueller; Theodore Eliades; Spiros Zinelis

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2019.05.005

Electrochemical characterization of novel Ag-based brazing alloys for dental applications

Dent Mater. 2019 Aug;35(8):e163-e174. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2019.05.005. Epub 2019 Jun 4.

Authors

Argiro Ntasi¹, Youssef S Al Jabbari², Wolf Dieter Mueller³, Theodore Eliades⁴, Spiros Zinelis⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
² Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prosthetic Dental Sciences Department, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ Dental and Biomaterials Research Group Dental School, "Charite" Medical University of Berlin, Germany.
⁴ Clinic of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
⁵ Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: szinelis@dent.uoa.gr.

PMID: 31171366
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2019.05.005

Abstract

Objective: Taking into account that clinical data have proven the decomposition of Ag brazing alloys used in the production of orthodontic appliances the aim of this study was to develop new Ag based soldering alloys free of Cu and Zn.

Methods: Four commercially available Ag brazing alloys were selected and their electrochemical properties were compared to the following experimental alloys: Ag12Ga, Ag10Ga5Sn, Ag20In and Ag7Sn. 112 disk shape specimens were prepared for each alloy and their electrochemical properties were evaluated by Open Circuit Potential (OCP), linear sweep voltametry (LSV), cyclic polarization (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in a NaCl 0.9% and a Ringer's electrolyte solution.

Results: The experimental alloys combined higher OCP and E_corr with lower I_corr values. The impedance values of the commercial alloys were lower showing that any surface layers formed are not protective and steady compared to those of the novel ones. In conclusion experimental alloys demonstrated enhanced electrochemical properties.

Significance: In and Sn showed a more beneficial effect on electrochemical properties compared to Ga and thus can be considered as a promising option for the development of a new family of Ag brazing alloys with increased biocompatibility.

Keywords: Brazing; Corrosion; Electrochemical testing; Silver alloys.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alloys*
Corrosion
Dental Alloys
Materials Testing
Silver*

Substances

Alloys
Dental Alloys
Silver