The aim of this paper is to study changes in the Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy surfaces by alumina air-abrasion process and effect of those changes on the adhesive bonding characteristic. Surface roughness, surface composition and chemical state of the alumina air-abraded alloys were analyzed by a confocal laser scanning microscope, an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the alumina air-abrasion changed the alloy surface by mechanical roughening, alumina remain and copper oxidation. Effect of the changes in the alloy surface on the adhesive bonding characteristic was examined by using a methyl methacrylate/tri-n-butylborane derivative (MMA/TBB) resin cement with the 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate (MDP) contained primer. The shear bond strength test results indicated that the surface oxidation by the abrasion is the main contributor that improved the adhesive bonding rather than other effects such as mechanical roughening or alumina remain.
Keywords: Al2O3; Copper; Dental alloy; Phosphate monomer; Sandblast.