歯科用Ｎｉ‐Ｃｒ合金のレーザ溶接部の割れ 合金組成の影響

Cracking susceptibility control of 7075 aluminum alloy in pulsed laser welding with filler strip

The thermal metallurgical modeling of liquid aluminum supersaturation was further developed through couple of heat transfer model, dendrite selection model, multicomponent dendrite growth model and nonequilibrium solidification model during three-dimensional nickel-based single-crystal superalloy weld pool solidification. The welding configuration plays more important role in supersaturation of liquid aluminum, morphology instability and nonequilibrium partition behavior. The bimodal distribution of liquid aluminum supersaturation along the solid/liquid interface is crystallographically symmetrical about the weld pool centerline in (001) and [100] welding configuration. The distribution of liquid aluminum supersaturation along the solid/liquid interface is crystallographically asymmetrical throughout the weld pool in (001) and [110] welding configuration. Optimum low heat input (low laser power and high welding speed) with (001) and [100] welding configuration is more favored to predominantly promote epitaxial [001] dendrite growth to reduce the metallurgical factors for solidification cracking than that of high heat input (high laser power and slow welding speed) with (001) and [110] welding configuration. The lower the heat input is used, the lower supersaturation of liquid aluminum is imposed, and the smaller size of vulnerable [100] dendrite growth region is incurred to ameliorate solidification cracking susceptibility and vice versa. The overall supersaturation of liquid aluminum in (001) and [100] welding configuration is beneficially smaller than that of (001) and [110] welding configuration regardless of heat input, and is not thermodynamically relieved by gamma prime γˊ phase. (001) and [110] welding configuration is detrimental to weldability and deteriorates the solidification cracking susceptibility because of unfavorable crystallographic orientations and alloying aluminum enrichment. The mechanism of asymmetrical solidification cracking because of crystallography-dependent supersaturation of liquid aluminum is proposed. The eligible solidification cracking location is particularly confined in [100] dendrite growth region. Moreover, the theoretical predictions agree well with the experiment results. The useful modeling is also applicable to other single-crystal superalloys with similar metallurgical properties for laser welding or laser cladding. The thorough numerical analyses facilitate the understanding of weld pool solidification behavior, microstructure development and solidification cracking phenomena in the primary γ phase, and thereby optimize the welding conditions (laser power, welding speed and welding configuration) for successful crack-free laser welding.

Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), which are increasingly used in the automotive industry, meet many functional requirements such as high strength and crash resistance. Some of these steels contain high amounts of alloying elements, which are required to achieve the necessary mechanical properties, but render these steels susceptible to weld solidification cracking. Weld solidification cracking results from the complex interplay between mechanical and metallurgical factors. Our recent work is focused on studying solidification cracking in dual phase (DP) and transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels using the following modeling and experimental strategies: 1. A finite element (FE) based model was constructed to simulate the dynamic thermal and mechanical conditions that prevail during bead-on-plate laser welding. To vary the restraint, laser welding was carried out on single sided clamped specimens at increasing distances from the free edge. In TRIP steel sheets, solidification cracking was observed when welding was carried out close to the free edge and at a certain minimum distance, no cracking was observed. For the no cracking condition, in situ strain evolution during laser welding was measured by means of digital image correlation to validate the strain from the Fe-model. Subsequently, a phase field model was constructed using the validated thermal cycles from the FE-model to simulate the microstructural evolution at the tail of a weld pool, where primary dendrites coalesce at the weld centerline. From the phase field model, elemental segregation and stress concentration are used to explain the cracking susceptibility in TRIP and DP steels. For DP steel, both the experimental and modeling results indicate a higher resistance to solidification cracking. 2. A phase field model was constructed to simulate the directional solidification in TRIP and DP steels. The thermal cycle and temperature gradient were derived from the in-situ solidification experiments conducted using high temperature laser scanning confocal microscopy (HTLSCM). The model showed that longer and narrower interdendritic liquid channels exist in the case of TRIP steel. For the TRIP steel, both the phase field model and atom probe tomography revealed notable enrichment of phosphorus, which leads to a severe undercooling in the interdendritic region. In the presence of tensile stress, an opening at the interdendritic region is difficult to fill with the remaining liquid due to low permeability, resulting in solidification cracking. The overall study shows that a combination of factors is responsible for the susceptibility of a material to solidification cracking. These include particularly mechanical restraint, solidification temperature range, solidification morphology, solute segregation and liquid feeding capability.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of chemical composition of Ni-Cr dental casting alloys on the bonding behaviour between porcelain and metal. A three-point bending test was used to measure the fracture load of alloy after porcelain firing. A scanning electron microscope, accompanied by an energy dispersion spectrometer, was used to analyse the morphology and chemical composition of the fracture surface. An X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and glow discharge spectrometer were used to identify the structure and cross-sectional chemical composition, respectively, of oxide layers on Ni-Cr alloys after heat treatment at 990 degrees C for 5 min. Results showed that the oxide layers formed on all Ni-Cr alloys contained mainly Cr2O3, NiO, and trace MoO3. The Ni-Cr alloy with a higher Cr content had a thicker oxide layer, as well as a weaker bonding behaviour of porcelain/metal interface. The presence of Al (as Al2O3) and Be (as BeO) on the oxide layer suppressed the growth of the oxide layer, leading to a better porcelain/metal bonding behaviour. However, the presence of a small amount of Ti (as TiO2) on the oxide layer did not have any influence on the bonding behaviour. The fracture propagated along the interface between the opaque porcelain and metal, and exhibited an adhesive type of fracture morphology.

PURPOSEThe aim of this study is to compare the hardness according to the conditions of metal alloys. Moreover, the correlation between the cast crown hardness before and after wear testing and the degree of wear for each dental alloy was assessed.MATERIALS AND METHODSCast crowns of three metal alloys (Co-Cr, gold, and Ni-Cr alloys) opposing smooth-surface monolithic zirconia were used. The Vickers microhardness of the ingot (which did not undergo wear testing) and the cast crown before and after wear testing were measured for each alloy. Two-way ANOVA and Scheffé tests were used to compare the measured hardness values. Moreover, the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the surface hardness and the wear of the cast crown (α=.05).RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the hardness before and after wear testing for the gold alloy (P>.05); however, the hardness of the worn surface of the cast crown increased compared to that of the cast crown before the wear tests of Ni-Cr and Co-Cr alloys (P<.05). Furthermore, there was no correlation between the wear and hardness of the cast crown before and after wear testing for all three metal alloys (P>.05).CONCLUSIONThere was a significant difference in hardness between dental alloys under the same conditions. No correlation existed between the surface hardness of the cast crown before and after wear testing and the wear of the cast crown.

The aim of this study was to compare the degradation resistance of nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys used as a base material for partial dentures in contact with saliva. Wiron® 99 and Wironit Extra-Hard® were selected as representative casting alloys for Ni-Cr and Co-Cr alloys, respectively. The alloys were tested in contact with deionized water, artificial saliva and acidified artificial saliva. Material characterization was performed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and microhardness and nanohardness testing. The corrosion properties of the materials were then analyzed using open circuit potential analysis and potentiodynamic analysis. Alloy leaching in solution was assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques. Co-Cr alloy was more stable than the Ni-Cr alloy in all solutions tested. Leaching of nickel and corrosion attack was higher in Ni-Cr alloy in artificial saliva compared with the acidified saliva. The corrosion resistance of the Co-Cr alloy was seen to be superior to that of the Ni-Cr alloy, with the former exhibiting a lower corrosion current in all test solutions. Microstructural topographical changes were observed for Ni-Cr alloy in contact with artificial saliva. The Ni-Cr alloy exhibited microstructural changes and lower corrosion resistance in artificial saliva. The acidic changes did not enhance the alloy degradation. Ni-Cr alloys are unstable in solution and leach nickel. Co-Cr alloys should be preferred for clinical use.

Microstructure evolution of the laser spot welded Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites

Probability characteristics of welding defects occurrence of thick steel plate, such as porosity and solidification cracks, have been investigated as functions of laser power and welding speed. The welding defects tend to be suppressed by increasing laser power and by decreasing welding speed. Sound bead, satisfying ISO13919-B level, is achieved when the penetration depth performance is set at about 120% of the welded sample thickness. Welding characteristics at various orientations, such as down-hand, overhead, vertically upward, have been investigated. Defects inclusion characteristics can be described by the aforementioned penetration condition at each welding orientation. These results will be useful for many fields of heavy-duty laser welding applications such like joint welding of pipeline construction.Probability characteristics of welding defects occurrence of thick steel plate, such as porosity and solidification cracks, have been investigated as functions of laser power and welding speed. The welding defects tend to be suppressed by increasing laser power and by decreasing welding speed. Sound bead, satisfying ISO13919-B level, is achieved when the penetration depth performance is set at about 120% of the welded sample thickness. Welding characteristics at various orientations, such as down-hand, overhead, vertically upward, have been investigated. Defects inclusion characteristics can be described by the aforementioned penetration condition at each welding orientation. These results will be useful for many fields of heavy-duty laser welding applications such like joint welding of pipeline construction.

Nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) dental alloys have been widely used in prosthodontic practice, but there is a permanent concern about their biocompatibility due to the release of metal ions. This is especially important when Ni-Cr metal microparticles are incorporated into gingival tissue during prosthodontic procedures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine and compare the corrosion and cytotoxic properties of compact specimens and microparticles of Ni-Cr dental alloy. Ni-Cr alloy, Remanium CSe bars (4 mm diameter), were made by the standard casting method and then cut into 0.5-mm-thick disks. Metal particles were obtained by scraping the bars using a diamond instrument for crown preparation. The microstructure was observed by an optical microscope. Quantitative determination and morphological and dimensional characterization of metal particles were carried out by a scanning electron microscope and Leica Application Suite software for image analysis. Corrosion was studied by conditioning the alloy specimens in the RPMI 1640 medium, containing 10% fetal calf serum in an incubator with 5% CO2 for 72 hours at 37°C. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry was used to assess metal ion release. The cytotoxity of conditioning medium (CM) was investigated on L929 cells using an MTT test. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. After casting, the microstructure of the Remanium CSe compact specimen composed of Ni, Cr, Mo, Si, Fe, Al, and Co had a typical dendritic structure. Alloy microparticles had an irregular shape with a wide size range: from less than 1 μm to more than 100 μm. The release of metal ions, especially Ni and Mo from microparticles, was significantly higher, compared to the compact alloy specimen. The CM prepared from compact alloy was not cytotoxic at any tested dilutions, whereas CM from alloy microparticles showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity (90% CM and 45% CM versus control; p < 0.005). Ni-Cr microparticles showed less corrosion resistance and lower biocompatibility than compact alloy. This could affect health on long-term exposure, especially in sensitized individuals.

With the objectives of obtaining a fundamental knowledge of laser welding technology inside and outside the spacecraft in space, pulsed YAG laser spot welding was performed on the metal plates in Ar gas atmosphere or a vacuum in the falling microgravity apparatus equipped with the fiber-delivered laser focusing optics. The influence of gravity or microgravity on penetration and welding defect formation was further clarified by comparing the welds made in the normal flat and overhead positions. Almost all results of weld penetration and defect formation under microgravity were similar to those under normal gravity except the welding result of aluminum alloy A5083 subjected to the high power density laser, and were between normal gravity and overhead position welding results. Welding in a vacuum was characterized by the formation of a narrower and cone-shaped bottom in any alloy weld. Porosity was easily formed in any deeply penetrated weld metal under high power density welding with a rectangular pulse-shaped laser, and could be reduced by utilizing pulse-controlled laser even under microgravity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a simulated porcelain firing process on the surface, corrosion behavior and cell culture response of two nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) dental alloys. A Be-free alloy and a Be-containing alloy were tested. Before porcelain firing, as-cast specimens were examined for surface composition using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and metallurgical phases using X-ray diffraction. Corrosion behaviors were evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. 3T3 fibroblasts were cultured and exposed indirectly to specimens. MTT assays were counted after 3 and 6 days. The cell culture mediums exposed to specimens were analyzed for metal ion release. After porcelain firing, similar specimens were examined for the same properties. In both as-cast and fired conditions, the Be-free Ni-Cr alloy showed significantly more resistance to corrosion than the Be-containing Ni-Cr alloy, which exhibited BeNi phase. After porcelain firing, the corrosion resistance of the Be-free Ni-Cr alloy decreased statistically, corresponding with evident decreases of Cr and Ni oxides on the alloy surface. Also, the alloy's MTT assay decreased significantly corresponding with an obvious increase of Ni-ion release after the firing. For the Be-containing Ni-Cr alloy, the firing process led to increases of surface oxides and metallic Be, while its corrosion resistance and cell culture response were not significantly changed after porcelain firing. The results suggested that the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of the Be-free Ni-Cr alloy decreased after porcelain firing, whereas the firing process had little effect on the same properties of the Be-containing Ni-Cr alloy.

In this study, a cross-flow laser with maximum out power of 5kW was applied to the welding of Fe-Mn-Si shape memory alloys (SMA). The optimal welding processing parameters of 1mm thick Fe-Mn-Si SMA were established by orthogonal experiment. With the optimal processing parameters, power 1600W, welding speed 2.2m/min, defocusing distance 0.6mm, the tensile strength of the welded joint can achieve 93.5% of the base material, and the weld undercut and reinforcement transfer smoothly on the surface of the welding seam and the cross-section of the welding seam morphology presents "X" shape. The fracture appears in the weld fusion zone, so this area is weak during the laser welding. By the metallographic observation, the weld center structure is small equated, and the region of fusion zone is thick cellular crystal that decreases the strength of the welded joint, and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) test proves that the laser welding promotes the grain refinement. The micro-hardness analysis shows that the hardness of the fusion zone is lower than the other area clearly which is also associated to the weld structure. By the fracture scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, it is found that the fracture of Fe-Mn-Si SMA shows many small dimples with the optimal parameters, and the result is accorded with the base material which belongs to plastic fracture.

Melting characteristics, porosity formation tendency and presence of AIN film in aluminum alloy as well as N content, microstructural characteristics and cracking tendency in austenitic stainless steel were investigated and compared by bead-on-plate welding A5083 alloy and Type 304 steel with CO2 and YAG lasers in nitrogen shielding gas. Melting characteristics and porosity formation tendency of these materials were not so much different at about 3 to 4 kW between CO2 and YAG lasers. AIN films were formed in CO2 laser weld beads of A5083 alloy but were not present in YAG laser weld metals. The N contents absorbed in Type 304 weld fusion zones were larger under any welding conditions with CO2 laser than with YAG laser. Consequently, in the case of some CO2 laser weld metals in Type 304 steel, solidification process varied from primary delta-ferrite to primary austenite, segregation of P and S increased along grain boundaries, and accordingly solidification cracks occurred along the boundaries of fully austenitic microstructural grains. It was concluded that a great effect of nitrogen on weldability of aluminum alloy and stainless steel was noted more remarkably in CO2 laser weld fusion zones than in YAG laser ones. It may be attributed to the N plasma formation leading to active N generation during CO2 laser welding.Melting characteristics, porosity formation tendency and presence of AIN film in aluminum alloy as well as N content, microstructural characteristics and cracking tendency in austenitic stainless steel were investigated and compared by bead-on-plate welding A5083 alloy and Type 304 steel with CO2 and YAG lasers in nitrogen shielding gas. Melting characteristics and porosity formation tendency of these materials were not so much different at about 3 to 4 kW between CO2 and YAG lasers. AIN films were formed in CO2 laser weld beads of A5083 alloy but were not present in YAG laser weld metals. The N contents absorbed in Type 304 weld fusion zones were larger under any welding conditions with CO2 laser than with YAG laser. Consequently, in the case of some CO2 laser weld metals in Type 304 steel, solidification process varied from primary delta-ferrite to primary austenite, segregation of P and S increased along grain boundaries, and accordingly solidification cracks occurred along the boundaries of fully aust...

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the wear on opposing enamel caused by additive manufacturing techniques for cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys. Selective laser melting (SLM) techniques were compared with conventional methods. Cast nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) alloys were also included for comparison.Materials and MethodsFour groups of dental alloys were examined (n = 10/group): as-built SLM Co-Cr (CS), heat-treated SLM Co-Cr (CS-H), cast Co-Cr (CC), and cast Ni-Cr (NC) alloys. Surface roughness and hardness of these alloys were initially assessed. Wear test was conducted against human enamel cusps using a chewing simulator (49-N load, 1.6-Hz frequency). Volumetric and vertical enamel wear were measured at 60,000, 120,000, and 240,000 chewing cycles using an intraoral scanner combined with open-source 3D software.Statistical AnalysisEnamel wear was analyzed using a generalized estimating equation (α = 0.05).ResultsAlloy hardness varied among the groups. NC exhibited the lowest hardness, followed by CS, CC, and CS-H. Throughout the entire test, no significant differences in enamel wear were observed among CS, CS-H, and CC. However, NC caused lower enamel wear than the other groups, with a more pronounced difference observed after 120,000 chewing cycles.ConclusionSLM is a promising alternative for manufacturing Co-Cr alloys used in fixed dental prostheses, as it exhibited comparable enamel wear to conventional casting. Moreover, optimized heat treatment enhanced the hardness of SLM-fabricated alloys without increasing enamel wear. However, it is noteworthy that Co-Cr alloys fabricated by any techniques resulted in higher enamel wear than Ni-Cr alloys.

Laser welding is an important technique in many industries due to its high precision in operation, its local and fast processing, narrow welds and its good weld surface quality. However, the process can involve some complications due to the rapid heating and cooling of the material processed, resulting in physical and metallurgical effects as thermal contraction during solidification, giving as a result the presence of residual stresses in the narrow weld. Formation of defects during the process is an important topic to be evaluated in order to achieve better performance of the steels in use. In the present work, defects formed during laser welding of a structural steel have been investigated. The defects formed have been identified and the causes of the defects are discussed. Possible strategies for improvement of the welding procedure and final weld result are proposed. The defects were analysed by optical and scanning electron microscopy and hardness measurement. Cracks were located in the middle of the fusion zone and followed both inter-granular and trans-granular paths. Impurities as manganese sulphides were found along the welding direction, and could act as sites for crack formation. The cracks formed during solidification of the weld are identified as solidification cracks. This kind of cracks is usually caused by solidification shrinkage and thermal contractions during the process, which appear in the fusion zone and sometimes in the heat affected zone.