BY MELISHA WILSON

DENTAL CASTING AND SOLDERING

ALLOYS

KEY TERMS

ALLOY
A mixture of two or more metals or metalloids
that are mutually soluble in the molten state.

CASTING
Casting is the process by which a wax pattern of
a restoration is converted to a replicate in dental
alloy. The casting process is used to make dental
restorations such as inlays, onlays, crowns,
bridges, and removable partial dentures.

METAL
It is an element which ionizes
positively in solution and which
exhibits metallic bonding (through a
spatial extension of valence
electrons), opacity, good light
reflectance from a polished surface
and high electrical and thermal
conductivity.

THE WIDE VARIETIES OF COMPLEX DENTAL ALLOY COMPOSITIONS CONSIST OF:

Dental amalgams containing the major elements

such as mercury, silver, tin, and copper.
Noble metal alloys in which the major elements
are some combination of gold, palladium, silver
and important secondary elements including
copper, platinum, tin, indium and gallium.
Base metal alloys with a major element of nickel,
cobalt, iron or titanium and many secondary
elements that are found in the alloy compositions.

NOBLE METAL
Metals which are highly resistant to
oxidation and dissolution in inorganic
acids. Gold and platinum group metals
(Platinum, palladium, rhodium,
ruthenium,iridium and osmium).
BASE METAL
A metal that readily oxidizes or dissolves
to release ions.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND EFFECT

OF NOBLE METALS AND BASE
METALS ON DENTAL CASTING
ALLOYS

GOLD
Pure gold is a soft and ductile metal with a yellow Gold hue. It has a
density of 19.3 gms/cm3 , melting point of 1063oC, boiling point of
2970 oC and CTE of14.210-6/C. Gold has a good luster and takes up
a high polish. It has good chemical stability and does not tarnish and
corrode.
Gold content: Traditionally the gold content of dental casting alloys
have
been referred to in terms of:
Karat : It is the parts of pure gold in 24 parts of alloys. For Eg: a) 24
Karat gold is pure gold b) 22 Karat gold is 22 parts of pure gold and
remaining 2 parts of other metal. The term Karat is rarely used to
describe gold content in current alloys.
Fineness: Fineness of a gold alloy is the parts per thousand of pure
gold. Pure gold is 1000 fine. Thus, if of the gold alloy is pure gold, it
is said to be 750 fine

SILVER

It is sometimes described as the Whitest of all

metals. It whitens the alloy, thus helping to
counteract the reddish colour of copper. To a
slight extent it increases strength and hardness.
In large amounts however, it reduces tarnish
resistance. It has the lowest density
10.4gms/cm3 and melting point of 961oC,
boiling point of 2216 oC among the four
precious metals used in dental casting alloys. Its
CTE is 19.710-6/oC , which is comparatively
high.

PLATINUM

It increases the strength and corrosion

resistance. It also increases the melting
point and has a whitening effect on the
alloy. It helps to reduce the grain size. It
has the highest density of
21.45gms/cm3 , highest melting point
of 1769oC, boiling point of 4530 oC and
the lowest CTE 8.910-6/oC among the
four precious metals used in dental
casting alloys.

PALLADIUM

It is similar to platinum in its effect. It

hardens as well as whitens the alloy. It
also raises the fusion temperature and
provides tarnish resistance. It is less
expensive than platinum, thus reducing
cost of alloy. It has a density
of12.02gms/cm3. Palladium has a
higher melting point of1552oC, boiling
point of 3980o C and lower CTE which
is11.810-6/oC, when compared to

IRIDIUM, RUTHENIUM

They help to decrease the grain size.

They are added in very small quantities
(about 100 to 150 ppm). IRIDIUM has a
high melting point of 2454C , boiling
point of 5300C , density of
22.5gm/cm3 and CTE 6.810-6/oC.
RUTHENIUM has a melting point of
1966C , boiling point of 4500 C ,
density of 12.44 gm/cm 3 and
CTE8.310-6/oC

CHROMIUM

Its passivating effect ensures corrosion

resistance.The chromium content is directly
proportional to tarnish and corrosion resistance.
It reduces the melting point. Along with other
elements, it also acts in solid solution
hardening. Thirty percent chromium is
considered the upper limit for attaining
maximum mechanical properties. It has melting
point of 1875C , boiling point of2665 C ,
density of 7.19 gm/cm3 and CTE 6.210-6/ oC

COBALT

Imparts hardness, strength and rigidity

to the alloy. It has a high melting point
of 1495 degrees celcius, boiling point of
2900 degrees celcius and a density of
8.85 gm/cm3.

NICKEL

Cobalt and nickel are interchangeable.

It decreases strength, hardness,
modulus of elasticity and fusion
temperature. It increased ductility. Bioincompatibility due to nickel, which is
the most common metal to cause
Contact Dermatitis. It has a melting
point of1453C , boiling point of2730
C , density of 8.9gm/cm3 and CTE
13.310- /C6 o

IRON,BERYLLIUM

They help to harden the metal ceramic

gold palladium alloys, iron being the
most effective. In addition, beryllium
reduces fusion temperature and refines
grain structure . IRON has melting point
of 1527C , boiling point of 3000 C ,
densityof 7.87 gm/cm3 and CTE 12.3
10-6/oC

COPPER

It is the principal hardener. It reduces the

melting point and density of gold. If present
insufficient quantity, it gives the alloy a
reddish colour. It also helps to age harden
gold alloys. In greater amounts it reduces
resistance to tarnish and corrosion of the
gold alloy. Therefore, the maximum content
should NOT exceed 16%. It has melting point
of 1083C , boiling point of 2595 C , density
of8.96 gm/cm and CTE 16.510-6/C

MANGANESE AND SILICON

Primarily oxide scavengers to prevent

oxidation of other elements during
melting. They are also hardeners.
Manganese has melting point of
650C , boiling point of 1107 C ,
density of 1.74 gm/cm 3 and CTE 25.2
10- / C , where as SILICON has
melting point of 1410C , boiling point
of 2480 C , density of 2.33 gm/cm 3
and CTE 7.3 10-6/oC .

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ALLOYS

A casting alloy must be able to produce surface oxides for

chemical bonding with dental porcelain.
A casting alloy should be formulated so its coefficient of
thermal expansion is slightly greater than that of the
porcelain veneer to maintain the metal porcelain
attachment.
The alloy must have melting range considerably higher than
the fusing range of the dental porcelain fired on to it.
The alloy must not under go distortion at the firing
temperatures of the porcelain.
The first four requirements must be balanced with
technicians need for ease of handling. A casting alloy should
be biocompatible.

CLASSIFICATION OF ALLOYS

BY FUNCTION
Devised by the NATIONAL BUREAU OF
STANDARDS IN 1932. The gold based
crown & bridge metals of that time were
organized according to function into
only four categories & described type 1,
2, 3, or 4 alloys. Alloys in each
classification or type were arranged
based on their gold &platinum group.

TYPE 1 SOFT
USED FOR THE SMALL INLAYS
TYPE 2 MEDIUM
USED FOR THE THREE QUARTER CROWN,THIN
BACKINGS.
TYPE 3 HARD
USED FOR THE FULL CROWNS, ABUTMENTS & PONTICS
TYPE 4EXTRA HARD
USED FOR DENTURE BASE BARS, PARTIAL DENTURE
FRAMEBARS, LONG SPAN FIXED PARTIALWORK.

BY USE
Inlay
Crown and bridge
Prosthesis
Post and core
Removable partial denture
implant

BY NUMBER OF METALS PRESENT

Binary formed by two metals
Ternary formed by three metals
Quaternary formed by 4 metals
Complex alloys formed by >4 metals

BY ELEMENT COMPOSITION
Gold-based (Au)
Palladium based (Pd)
Silver-based (Ag)
Nickel-based (Ni)
Cobalt based (Co)
Titanium-based (Ti)

PRINCIPAL THREE ELEMENTS

COMBINATION
Au-Pd-Ag
Pd-Ag-Sn
Ni-Cr-Be

BY NOBILITY
High noble
Noble
Base metal

DENTAL SOLDERING

SOLDERING
The joining of metals by the fusion of filler metal
between them, at a temperature below the
solidus temperature of the metals being joined
and below 450 degrees celcius.
BRAZING
Soldering procedures above 450 degrees celcius
but below the solidus temperature of metals in
alloy is known as brazing even though the names
are used interchangeably in dentistry.

WELDING
The joining of two or more metal parts
through the application of heat or pressure or
both with or without a filler metal to produce
localized union across on the interface
between the parts through fusion or
diffusion.

CAST JOINING
This is another type of metal joining
procedure in dentistry where two components
of a fixed partial denture are combined by
means of casting molten metal into
interlocking region between invested
components.
This technique is prefered for base metal
alloys because of the sensitivity of brazing or
soldering these alloys

THE SOLDERING PROCESS

The soldering process involves the

substrate or the parent metal to be
joined, soldering filler metal (usually
called solder), a flux and a heat source.
All are equally important in the process
and the role of each should be taken
into consideration to solder metal
components successfully.

COMPONENTS OF THE SOLDERED

JOINT

Parent metal
Solder/filler metal
Fluxes and Anti fluxes

PARENT METAL
This is also known as the substrate metal or
base metal and is the metal or alloy to be
joined.
The composition of the parent metal determines:
Melting range
Oxide that forms on the surface during heating
Wetability of the substrate by the molten solder
Soldering should take place below the solids
temperature of the parent metal.

SOLDER/FILLER METAL
Classification of Solders
Hard solders
Soft solders
Precious metal solders
Non-precious metal solders

Hard solders have a high melting

temperature and possess greater
hardness and strength. Heating is done
with gas torch or special devices. Two
types of hard solders are used in
dentistry.
Soft solders are a lead-tin eutectetic
alloy with a low melting point. They
have a low fusion rate of about 260
degrees celcius or less. Soft solders
lack corrosion resistance so they are
impractical for dental use.

FLUXES AND ANTIFLUXES

Flux is Latin word means flow. Dental do not

flow or wet the metallic surfaces that have an
oxide layer. The flux aid in the removal of the
oxide layer so as to increase the flow of the
oxide layer so as to increase the flow of the
molten solder.
In addition the flux also dissolves the impurities
and prevents the oxidation of the metals.
Fluxes used commonly are Borax glass 55%.
Boric acid --35% and Silica-- 10%.

Anti flux is a material that is used to

confine the flow of the molten solder
over the being joined.
The commonly used anti fluxes are
pencil, graphite lines, iron rouge.

SOLDERING TECHNIQUES

Investment soldering
Used when accurate alignment is necessary
The parts are placed on the master cast with a gap of at least 1
mm
The parts are fastened with sticky wax before placing soldering
investment
Antiflux is applied to confine the flow of the solder
The investment is preheated to eliminate moisture
Flux can be applied before or after heat treatment
Soldering is carried out with a reducing flame of 750 to 870
degrees celcius
The investment is cooled 5 mins before quenching
Flux will cool to a glass which is removed by pickling

Freehand soldering
Mainly used for hand soldering
orthodontic appliances
Orthodontic torches are placed on a
bench so that both hands are used to
hold the parts in position.

THE PROCESS

Also please see accompanying video

REFERENCES
Anusavice K.J.: Phillips science of dental
materials, 10th ed. W.B. saunders
Co.:111-555,19965.
Messer R., Wataha J. Casting alloys
Medical College of Georgia School of
Dentistry, Augusta, GA 30912-1260, USA
Retrieved from
http://survival-training.info/articles16/
DentalCasting%20AlloysWataha.pdf
on October 13, 2014

REFERENCES
Youtube video showing the DENTAL
SOLDERING TECHNIQUE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FO88qMWav94