MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISATION OF Co-Cr-Mo CASTING DENTAL ALLOYS

The study compares the microstructure of three commercial dental cobalt matrix alloys with related chemical composition declared by the manufacturer. Casts were produced with lost wax method, then melted and caged with centrifugal induction casting machine. The Co-Cr-Mo alloys were casted according to the manufacturers procedure. The samples chemical composition and phase composition. respectively. using WD-XRF (Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence) and XRD (X-ray Diffarction) methods were analysed. Casts microstructure by mean of LOM (Light Optical Microscopy). SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) were investigated. Vickers hardness HV10 was measured. Quantitative microstructure evaluation was performed by means of computer image processing. The results of the chemical composition indicate the high stability of the chemical composition for alloy A. In case of alloys B and C. there was a significant difference in carbon content. Quantitative differences in image of microstructure between of castings A and B, C were noticed. The greater amount of precipitates was recorded for castings with higher carbon content. In all investigated castings, the presence of matrix solution and M23C6 carbide precipitations was found.