Development of Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys for multiple dental applications. Part 2. Mechanical properties of experimental Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys containing Sn or Ga for ceramic-metal restorations.

Eighteen Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys, consisting of nine Ag-Pd-Au-Cu mother compositions (Pd: 20, 30 or 40%, Au: 20%, Cu: 10, 15 or 20%, Ag: balance) containing either 5% Sn or 5% Ga as an additive metal, were experimentally prepared. Tensile strength, proof stress, elongation, elastic modulus, and Vickers hardness of these alloys were evaluated to clarify the potential of these alloys for use as ceramic-metal restorations as well as the effects of the Pd and Cu contents on their mechanical properties. The tensile strength, proof stress, elongation, elastic modulus and Vickers hardness of the 18 experimental alloys were in the range of 410.0-984.0 MPa, 289.7-774.3 MPa, 2.2-23.7%, 81.3-123.0 GPa and 135.7-332.3 HV1, respectively. Ten of the 18 experimental alloys can be used for ultra-low fusing ceramics based on their proof stress, elastic modulus, elongation and hardness. Between the Ga- and Sn-added alloys, differences in tensile strength, proof stress, elongation and hardness were found at several Ag-Pd-Au-Cu compositions.