Formation of white oxide layer on Zr-14Nb alloy using thermal treatment

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a novel abutment material with good esthetic and mechanical properties by producing a white oxide layer on a zirconium-14 mass% niobium (Zr-14Nb) alloy substrate using a thermal oxidation process. Oxidation temperatures ranged 700-1000°C and oxidation time ranged 30-180 min. The color of the oxide layer varied depending on temperature and time. A white oxide layer was obtained under appropriate conditions. The oxide layer thickness increased with increased temperature and time, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Moreover, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the oxide layer was predominantly monoclinic ZrO 2 , tetragonal ZrO 2 , and Nb 2 O 5 . The oxide layer revealed good abrasion resistance and high adhesion to the substrate. This novel process for producing white materials with good mechanical properties will be useful for abutments and prostheses in dental implant treatment.

Metals and Medicine

“…99) The surface of the Zr14Nb alloy can be whitened using high-temperature oxidation, and this can be applied to the abutment of dental implants. 100) In addition, dental casting shows sufficient mechanical properties 101) and has a high bonding strength with porcelain, 102) and therefore it can be applied as a dental restoration and prosthesis. Furthermore, the Zr14Nb5Ta1Mo alloy, designed on the basis of d-electron alloy design theory, shows better mechanical properties than those of the Ti6Al4V alloy with low magnetic susceptibility.…”

Future Prospects of Zr-14nb Alloy as a Next-Generation Dental Prosthesis Material

“…We evaluated the possibility of Zr-14Nb being used as a dental prosthesis alloy and reported that the 0.2% proof strength and ultimate tensile strength of the Zr-14Nb alloy are comparable to those of the Co-Cr alloy with an elongation greater than that of a Co-Cr alloy. Moreover, the castability of the Zr-14Nb alloy is comparable to that of the Ti-alloy, and the magnetic susceptibility of the Zr-14Nb alloy is about one-fifth that of the Co-Cr alloy and half of that of Ti and Ti alloys [23][24][25][26].…”

“…Nb is also nontoxic, biocompatible, and a major alloying element for Zr [22]. The mechanical properties of Zr-Nb alloys, their biocompatibility, and their magnetic susceptibility vary depending on their Nb concentration, and the Zr-14Nb alloy, which is an example of a Zr-Nb alloy, exhibits an optimum balance between mechanical properties and magnetic susceptibility [23][24][25]. We evaluated the possibility of Zr-14Nb being used as a dental prosthesis alloy and reported that the 0.2% proof strength and ultimate tensile strength of the Zr-14Nb alloy are comparable to those of the Co-Cr alloy with an elongation greater than that of a Co-Cr alloy.…”

“…In general, the presence of an oxide layer on the surface of alloys has been considered crucial to achieving a considerably strong metal-ceramic bond. However, the Zr-14Nb alloy reportedly has a high reactivity with oxygen, and forms a very thick oxide layer upon reaction [25,26]. Thus, in order to clarify the optimum preheat treatment condition, four different pre-heat treatments were performed at 700 C° (control, heating for 5 min, 10 min, and 20 min).…”

Calcification of MC3T3-E1 cells on titanium and zirconium

“…In recent years, Zr alloys are potential candidates for medical devices. For example, zirconiumniobium (Zr-Nb) alloys [9][10][11][12] and zirconium-molybdenum (Zr-Mo) alloys 13,14) were designed and studied. Oxinium ® is a commercially available Zr-2.5 mass%Nb alloy used for artificial joints.…”